Fenugreek has for a long while now been considered as one of the little giants of culinary world. Fenugreek which is an important ingredient in Indian cuisine, is predominantly grown in Asia and the Middle East. Its importance in traditional medicine cannot be over emphasized. Fenugreek can be used as spice (seeds), herbs (dried or fresh leaves) and as vegetables (sprouts and micro greens).
Fenugreek is universally known not just for its flavor but also for its amazing health benefits which make it susceptible to overuse and abuse in the form of strong supplements and health tonics for which there have been adverse consequences worth discussing. Although it would be impractical to completely omit fenugreek from your diet because of its health benefits, however it is best to read further to gain an insight into the adverse fenugreek side effects in order to stay informed and use fenugreek responsibly.
This article is focused on the side effects of fenugreek seeds that you should know of. Fenugreek seeds are good for consumption, however you should expect the following side effects;
#1 It Cause Body And Urine Odor:
The intake of fenugreek may cause body and urine odor, although it’s more of a sickly sweet smell than an odor. The question is; is it a worthy price to pay considering the benefits of consuming the right amounts of fenugreek? The answer for that in a lot of cases would be a yes as the smell can be simply swept ogg by a good deodorant spray. This is just for your information in case you are on fenugreek supplements and wonder why you smell a sweet treat.
#2 Loose Motions/ Diarrhoea
Fenugreek has been known to cause loose motions in some mothers and breastfeeding babies and it is usually advised to stop consumption whilst symptoms persist. Loose motions or diarrhea can be easily passed on from mother to baby via means of breast milk which could result in severe dehydration for the breastfeeding child.
#3 Hypoglycemia:
One of the main fenugreek side effects is that it may cause hypoglycemia in some mothers. Hypoglycemia is a medical emergency that involves drastically lowered blood sugar levels hence inadequate glucose supply to the brain and can cause serious symptoms such as seizures, permanent brain damage and even death.
#4 Uterine Contractions In Pregnant Women:
Fenugreek is a uterine stimulant hence excess dosage could cause adverse uterine contractions that may bring on early labor. Fenugreek has oxytocin, a drug that brings on uterine contractions. Though consuming fenugreek in moderate amounts in cooked food is considered safe, taking it is as a supplement in medication form is unadvisable during pregnancy or labor without prior consent from a registered medical practitioner.
#5 Allergic Reactions:
Considering fenugreek belongs to the same genus of peanuts or chickpeas, it is not uncommon for some people to have allergic reactions to fenugreek. Common symptoms are rash, hives, breathlessness and fainting. Discontinue consumption of fenugreek if you are susceptible to fenugreek allergies.
#6 Might be Unsafe for Children:
Wondering what are the side effects of fenugreek seeds for children? Well, apart from causing loose motions, there have been reports of loss of consciousness in children brought on by drinking fenugreek tea. It is advisable to discontinue use of fenugreek supplements for children and only use moderate amounts in the meals prepared for your child.
#7 Fenugreek Side Effects For Men:
Men that suffer from asthma are advised to be cautious about fenugreek consumption because there have been reports of fenugreek aggravating breathing patterns of those suffering from asthma. People suffering from thyroid complication should consult a registered medical practitioner about their fenugreek consumption. There have been multiple reports of fenugreek causing thyroid dysfunctions in males that used fenugreek supplements to treat hernia and other thyroid symptoms.
#8 Fenugreek Interacts With Some Drugs
Fenugreek might decrease blood sugar and taken in combination with diabetes medications may cause dangerously low levels of sugar in the system. Some medications used for diabetes that commonly interact with fenugreek are glimepiride, insulin, glyburide and others.
The side effects of fenugreek are obviously mild. However it is advisable to consume it moderately in order to promote a healthy state of the body.