Fennel
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) aka: Florence Fennel, Sweet Fennel, Finocchio, is a long stemmed vegetable with a bulb of leaves at its base and soft furry leaves at its top.
Health benefits of Fennel
- Increased Protection from Bacterial and Viral Infections
- Increased Immune Function
- Reduced Cancer Risk
- Reduced Risk of Colon Cancer
- Protection Against Heart Disease
- Regulation of Blood Sugar and Insulin Dependence
- Slowing the progression of AIDS
- Slowing Aging
- DNA Repair and Protection
- Protection Against Dementia
- Alleviation of Cardiovascular Disease
- Alleviation of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Promoted Eye Health
- Alzheimer's Protection
- Osteoporosis Protection
- Stroke Prevention
- Reduced Risk of Type II Diabetes
- Reduced Frequency of Migraine Headaches
- Alleviation of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Antioxidant Protection
- Prevention of Epileptic Seizures
- Alleviation of the Common Cold
- Prevention of Alopecia (Spot Baldness)
- Alleviation of Inflammation
Some of these health benefits come from nutrients concentrated in this food, and may not be effects of the food itself.
How to choose Fennel
Look for vibrantly colored stalks and bulbs with no discolorations or signs of wilting in the leaves. As a rule of thumb the closer the stalks are together the better the fennel.
Climate and origin
It is not known exactly where fennel originated but it was well known to both the ancient Romans and Greeks as a healthy vegetable. Favoring warm temperatures fennel grows in most temperate areas. (Zones 4-10 in the U.S.)
Taste
Fennel has a highly aromatic flavor caused by the aromatic compound Anethole which gives it a taste similar to licorice or anise. Fennel has a crunchy texture when raw but softens somewhat when cooked.
Miscellaneous information
The Ancient Greeks called fennel by the name Marathon, since it was found growing in one of the battlefields near Marathon. Wild forms of fennel can still be found growing in Europe today.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrition Facts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Serving Size | |||
| 100 grams (100g) | |||
| Calories | 31 | ||
| % Daily Value * | |||
| Total Fat 0.2g | 0% | ||
| Saturated Fat 0.09g | 0% | ||
| Trans Fat 0g | |||
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% | ||
| Sodium 52mg | 2% | ||
| Total Carbohydrate 7.3g | 3% | ||
| Dietary Fiber 3.1g | 11% | ||
| Total Sugars 3.9g | 8% | ||
| Includes --g Added Sugars | --% | ||
| Protein 1.2g | 2% | ||
| Vitamin C 12mg | 13% | ||
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% | ||
| Iron 0.73mg | 4% | ||
| Calcium 49mg | 4% | ||
| Potassium 414mg | 9% | ||
| Phosphorus 50mg | 4% | ||
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |||