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Fen6.0
Fenugreek Research
Likely helps
82 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Fenugreek appears to help in 11 of 12 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 82 participants.
Based on 82 studies · 21 meta-analyses · 32 RCTs · 12,955 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
11helped1unclear· 70 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-Analysisn=894 · large study2023
In plain English: 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.
3Dysmenorrhoea symptomsMeta-Analysisn=3,101 · very large study2016
In plain English: There is no high quality evidence to support the effectiveness of any dietary supplement for dysmenorrhoea, and evidence of safety is lacking.
Pattanittum P et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2016)
Supplements versus other supplementsThere was no evidence of a difference in effectiveness between ginger and zinc sulphate (MD 0.02 points, 95% CI -0.58 to 0.62; one RCT, 101 women).
Vitamin B1 may be more effective than fish oil (MD -1.59 points, 95% CI -2.25 to -0.93; one RCT, 120 women).
There is no high quality evidence to support the effectiveness of any dietary supplement for dysmenorrhoea, and evidence of safety is lacking.
6Systolic blood pressureMeta-Analysisn=373 · medium study2023
In plain English: Supplementation with fenugreek seed, especially in dosages ≥ 15 g/day and durations ≤ 12 weeks, might play a role in reducing SBP, but not DBP.
Amini MR et al. · High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention : the official journal of the Italian Society of Hypertension (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Fenugreek seed supplementation significantly reduced SBP (WMD: 3.46 mmHg, 95% CI - 6.33, - 0.59, P=0.018), but not DBP (WMD: 3.19 mmHg; 95% CI, - 5.82 to 12.21, P=0.488).
Subgroup analyses showed that fenugreek seed administered in dosages ≥ 15 g/day and durations ≤ 12 weeks significantly reduced SBP and DBP.
However, further investigations are warranted to ensure the clinical relevance of these findings.
11Glycemic controlMeta-Analysisn=487 · medium study2011
In plain English: The current evidence suggests that supplementation with Ipomoea batatas, Silybum marianum, and Trigonella foenum-graecum may improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.
Suksomboon N et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2011)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Ipomoea batatas, Silybum marianum and Trigonella foenum-graecum significantly improved glycemic control, whereas Cinnamomum cassia did not.
The pooled mean differences in HbA(1c) were -0.30% (95% CI -0.04% to -0.57%; P = 0.02), -1.92% (95% CI -0.51% to -3.32%; P = 0.008), and -1.13% (95% CI -0.11% to -2.14%; P = 0.03), respectively, for Ipomoea batatas, Silybum marianum, and Trigonella foenum-graecum.
The corresponding values for FBG were -10.20mg/dL (95% CI -5.32 mg/dL to -15.08 mg/dL; P<0.0001) and -38.05 mg/dL (95% CI -9.54 mg/dL to -66.57 mg/dL; P = 0.009), respectively, for Ipomoea batatas and Silybum marianum.
12Weight reductionMeta-Analysisn=279 · medium study2020
In plain English: 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.
13Breast milk productionMeta-Analysisn=122 · medium study2018
In plain English: 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].
In plain English: 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.
In plain English: 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.
17Testosterone concentrationsSystematic Reviewn=32 · small study2021
In plain English: Overall, 9 out of 32 studies demonstrated statistically significant increases in testosterone concentrations.
Smith SJ et al. · Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) (2021)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
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.
In plain English: Further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of the plant.
Heshmat-Ghahdarijani K et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2020)
The pooled weighted mean difference (MD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated and pooled using a random-effect model.
There were no significant differences in TC, TG, and LDL between pre- and post-fenugreek studies in the noncontrolled studies however, the result of combination of four studies without control group showed a significant increase in mean HDL (0.81 [0.33,1.29]; p-value = .001).