Fennel is a veggie and an herb all in one.

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Fennelbenefits from being both a veggie and a herband it’s full of healthy properties.

It is a flowering plant that actually comes from thecarrotfamily.

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It grows above the ground in layers like celery with a bulb, stalks, fronds.

Fennel Nutrition

Fennel contains tons of key vitamins and nutrients the body needs to function well.

Here’s what is inside just one cup of raw fennel.

Salami and Fennel Pizza

Caitlin Bensel

That’s because it boasts a whole bunch of benefits.

Here are some of the biggest benefits in case you need convincing.

Supports Muscles and Bones

Fennel also has smaller amounts of the mineralscalcium, magnesium, and iron.

Sheet Pan Pork With Fennel and Apples

Greg DuPree

Both calcium andmagnesiummake up the structure of your bones, Follador says.

Consuming enough calcium and magnesium can help prevent osteoporosis and promote strong bones.

These minerals also help your heart and muscles contract properly.

Skillet Gnocchi With Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

Greg DuPree

We don’t want to mess with the hormones too much in these cases, Caldwell says.

Satisfies Hunger

Because fennel is full of fiber, it can help you feel full longer.

Vitamin C is crucial for collagen production.

mixed grains bowl with beet-ginger dressing

Greg Dupree

It helps to keep the skin firm and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat certain skin conditions.

The more fennel (and vitamin C) you consume, the better off your skin is.

Vitamin A promotes the production of pigments that your eyes need for the retina to work properly.

Caramelized Veggies With Poppy Seed Dressing on a pink linen

CAITLIN BENSEL

Therefore, consuming fennel can help improve your eye health and keep poor vision from creeping up on you.

Reduces Inflammation

The essential oils in fennel have anti-inflammatory properties.

These oils can help reduce inflammation and symptoms of inflammatory diseases.

Salmon With Creamy Cucumber-Fennel Salad

José Picayo

Alongside cumin, fennel can help treat neutrophilic inflammatory diseases.

Its utterly delicious when braised, roasted, sauteed, or grilled.

Here are a few of our favorite ways to consume fennel.

Salami and Fennel Pizza

How about a pizza topped with fennel?

It adds an extra burst of flavor amongst the other toppings on your pizza.

You’ll actually use the rest of the fennel cooked into the dish, as well as the seeds.

They include carrots, parsnips, beets, and a small bulb of fennel sliced up into pieces.

But the fennel fronds for serving make it even more flavorful.

Salmon With Creamy Cucumber-Fennel Salad

This salmon side salad is light and refreshing.

It combines creamy cucumber and one fennel bulb.

You just need to core it and thinly slice it up.

You’ll also use two tablespoons of chopped fennel fronds for serving.

“Fennel, bulb, raw.”

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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“Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

Dizavandi, F. et al.

“Effect of Fennel on the Health Status of Menopausal Women: A Systematic and Meta-analysis.

“Journal of Menopausal Medicine.April 2018.

Nathan, N. et al.

“Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health?”

Boyd, K. “What Is Vitamin A Deficiency?”

American Academy of Opthalmology.

Chen, B. et al.

“Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Volatile Oils: Fennel and Cumin Inhibit Neutrophilic Inflammation via Regulating Calcium and MAPKs.

“Frontiers in Pharmacology.

Feletou, M. et al.

“Role of potassium in regulating blood flow and blood pressure.

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