Sipping This Herbal Tea Can Help You Curb Excess Cravings and Satisfy Your Appetite
Usually around 2 pm in the afternoon, I’ll reach for a bag of chips or pretzels to keep my snack cravings at bay until it’s dinnertime. This isn’t the healthiest habit, and it’s one that I’m actively trying to kick to the curb. Luckily, it turns out there’s a soothing drink that can curb appetite. Research suggests that drinking fenugreek tea may help avoid excess snacking, which a major factor when trying to lose weight!
What is fenugreek tea good for?
Fenugreek tea is made using fenugreek seeds that are lightly crushed and steeped in hot water. The seeds from this sweet, nutty-flavored herb that comes from the soy family contain key nutrients such as vitamin A, fiber, and choline. Because of this, fenugreek is known for balancing blood sugar, taming inflammation, and boosting libido. Along with these amazing health perks, this tea can also help with eliminating feelings of hunger!
A 2015 study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition Research compared the hunger-suppressing effects of teas made with herbs like fenugreek and fennel. A total of nine healthy Korean women (average age of 49.7) were given fenugreek, fennel, or a placebo tea to drink. After drinking the tea, they were offered a lunch buffet to eat. Then, participants’ food consumption, appetite, hunger, fullness, and desire to eat was measured.
Ultimately, there wasn’t a significant difference in the participants’ food intake after drinking the teas. However, the fenugreek and fennel teas decreased hunger and increased feelings of fullness compared to the placebo tea. These results are credited to the fennel containing an oil called trans-anethole (which helps with appetite control) and fenugreek having a high fiber content. Fiber helps suppress hunger because it takes longer to break down in your digestive tract, preventing blood sugar spikes.
The conclusion of the study was that teas made with either fenugreek or fennel could be effective in suppressing your appetite. A nice warm mug of this tea sounds like the perfect way to resist the urge to nibble in between meals!
What are the side effects of drinking fenugreek tea?
While this drink is packed with benefits, keep in mind that it might cause negative side effects if you’re allergic to fenugreek. The health experts at RxList note that these side effects include nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, and facial swelling. Speak with your doctor before consuming herbal teas or supplements. This helps you avoid any negative side effects and ensure that you get the maximum health benefits from it.
You can buy fenugreek tea in stores and online. (One to try: Alvita Organic Fenugreek Herbal Tea, Buy from Amazon, $9.19) Fellow tea lovers, rejoice! I, for one, can’t wait to brew a cup of this soothing cuppa. Finally, a healthy way put an end to my midday hunger pains!
