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Fen6.0
Fenugreek Research
Likely helps
97 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Fenugreek appears to help in 12 of 13 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2001–2026 with a typical study size of 80 participants.
Based on 97 studies · 30 meta-analyses · 40 RCTs · 11,012 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
12helped1unclear· 84 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Women's healthMay help manage menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes · 4-8 weeks · Supports healthy estrogen metabolism and hormonal equilibrium · 4-8 weeks · May help reduce menstrual discomfort and PMS symptoms · 1-3 cycles
2Fasting blood glucoseMeta-AnalysisCited 22×n=894 · large study2023
Given the wider availability and lower cost of fenugreek, rigorous double-blinded randomized controlled trials should be conducted with fenugreek to understand its true potential as a diabetes control herbal agent.
Shabil M et al. · Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) (2023)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Could be chance
The mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated to represent the analysis.
The results showed a reduction in fasting blood glucose levels (MD: 3.70, 95% CI of -27.02, 19.62; p = 0.76), postprandial blood glucose (MD: -10.61, 95% CI of -68.48, 47.26; p = 0.72), and HbA1c (MD: -0.88, 95% CI -1.49, -0.27; p = 0.00) with fenugreek consumption.
Fourteen trials, consisting of 894 participants, were included in the meta-analysis.
15Anabolic and performance effectsMeta-AnalysisCited 3×n=449 · medium study2023
Seven studies with 449 participants (378 male, 71 female) met the inclusion criteria.
Isenmann E et al. · International journal of sports medicine (2023)
Seven studies with 449 participants (378 male, 71 female) met the inclusion criteria.
The meta-analysis shows that chronic application of fenugreek has performance-enhancing and anabolic effects in male athletes, but no statements can be made for female athletes.Thieme.
16Testosterone concentrationsSystematic ReviewCited 28×n=32 · small study2021
Overall, 9 out of 32 studies demonstrated statistically significant increases in testosterone concentrations.
Smith SJ et al. · Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) (2021)
Overall, 9 out of 32 studies demonstrated statistically significant increases in testosterone concentrations.
Conclusions are moderated by the paucity of research for many herbs, the variation in dosages and extracts used, small sample sizes, and the heterogeneity of study characteristics.
Also, further research is required before definitive conclusions on efficacy and safety can be made.
The evidence presented in the current systematic review indicates that flour-derived foods intake is related to improve cardiometabolic risk factors parameters.
de Souza LVM et al. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2024)
Chia flour, green banana flour, soy flour, and fenugreek powder showed improvements in blood pressure measurements.
Brazil nut flour and chia flour reduced total cholesterol.
Further high-quality studies should be conducted to establish the clinical efficacy of herbal medicines.
Correia AGDS et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Could be chance
The mean difference (MD) and the standardized MD (SMD) were adopted, and subgroup analyses were performed according to patient's clinical condition.
Saffron supplementation reduced FBG (MD: -9.06 mg/dl; 95%CI: -16.25 to -1.86; I2 = 40%; p = 0.12) and HbA1c (MD: -0.19%; 95%CI: -0.23 to -0.14; I2 = 0%; p > 0.99).
Our results show that using saffron and fenugreek can reduce FBG, PPBG, and HbA1c; however, there are some shortcomings that require attention for these results.
19Weight reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 74×n=279 · medium study2020
High quality trials are still needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of the plants in obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Payab M et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2020)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Pooled effect of herbal medicines on obesity and metabolic syndrome were presented as standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
In addition, the intake of P. vulgaris and N. sativa resulted in a significant improvement in weight ([SMD]: -0.88, 95 % CI: [-1.13, -0.63]) and triglyceride ([SMD]: -1.67, 95 % CI: [-2.54, -0.79]), respectively.
In addition, C. fimbriata, flaxseed, spinach, and fenugreek were able to reduce appetite.
20Breast milk productionMeta-AnalysisCited 31×n=122 · medium study2018
The NMA using pairwise comparison demonstrated the effect of C. amboinicus and palm date in the stimulation of the breast milk production was comparable and superior to all comparators.
Khan TM et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
League tables were generated using treatment effect, weighted mean difference (WMD; 95% confidence interval, CI) for all pairwise comparisons, where WMD > 0 favors the column-defining treatment.
The NMA results of 4 studies indicated that consumption of fenugreek significantly increased amount of the produced breast milk [11.11, CI 95% 6.77, 15.46] versus placebo.
The pairwise comparison revealed that fenugreek was effective as a galactagogue compared to placebo, control, and reference groups WMD 17.79 [CI 11.71, 23.88].