Fennel Seeds
Nutrition Facts
Complete nutritional profile of fennel seeds (Shamar / شمر / Saunf / سونف) — every macro, vitamin, and mineral, per teaspoon and per 100g. Sourced directly from USDA FoodData Central.
Fennel Seeds Nutrition Per Teaspoon (2g)
Since fennel seeds are used as a spice, the teaspoon serving size is the most practical measure. A typical recipe uses ½–2 teaspoons — here is exactly what that adds to your diet.
Serving size 1 tsp (2g)
Fennel Seeds Nutrition Per 100g — Full USDA Data
Complete nutritional breakdown of fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare) per 100g dry weight. Source: USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 171329.
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Per 1 tsp (2g) | Per 1 tbsp (6g) | % DV (100g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⚡ Macronutrients | ||||
| Calories | 345 kcal | 7 kcal | 21 kcal | — |
| Total Fat | 14.9g | 0.3g | 0.9g | 19% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.48g | 0.01g | 0.03g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9.91g | 0.2g | 0.6g | — |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.69g | 0.03g | 0.1g | — |
| Total Carbohydrates | 52.3g | 1.05g | 3.1g | 19% |
| Dietary Fiber | 39.8g | 0.8g | 2.4g | 159% ✦ |
| Sugars | 0g | 0g | 0g | 0% |
| Protein | 15.8g | 0.32g | 0.95g | 32% |
| Water | 8.81g | 0.18g | 0.53g | — |
| 🔩 Minerals | ||||
| Iron | 18.5mg | 1.2mg | 1.85mg | 103% ✦ |
| Calcium | 1,196mg | 24mg | 72mg | 92% ✦ |
| Magnesium | 385mg | 7.7mg | 23mg | 92% ✦ |
| Manganese | 6.53mg | 0.13mg | 0.39mg | 283% ✦ |
| Potassium | 1,694mg | 33.9mg | 102mg | 36% |
| Phosphorus | 487mg | 9.7mg | 29mg | 39% |
| Zinc | 3.7mg | 0.07mg | 0.22mg | 34% |
| Copper | 1.07mg | 0.02mg | 0.06mg | 119% |
| Selenium | 6.3mcg | 0.13mcg | 0.38mcg | 11% |
| Sodium | 88mg | 1.8mg | 5.3mg | 4% |
| 🌟 Vitamins | ||||
| Vitamin C | 21mg | 0.42mg | 1.26mg | 23% |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.41mg | 0.008mg | 0.025mg | 34% |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.35mg | 0.007mg | 0.021mg | 27% |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 6.05mg | 0.12mg | 0.36mg | 38% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.47mg | 0.009mg | 0.028mg | 28% |
| Folate (B9) | 10mcg | 0.2mcg | 0.6mcg | 3% |
| Vitamin A | 135 IU | 2.7 IU | 8.1 IU | 3% |
| Vitamin E | 2.1mg | 0.04mg | 0.13mg | 14% |
| Vitamin K | 62.8mcg | 1.3mcg | 3.8mcg | 52% |
| 🧬 Bioactive Compounds | ||||
| Trans-Anethole | ~80% of EO | Primary bioactive compound — digestive, anti-inflammatory | — | |
| Fenchone | ~12% of EO | Antimicrobial, flavour compound | — | |
| Estragole | ~5% of EO | Phytoestrogenic compound | — | |
| Quercetin | ~180mg | Antioxidant polyphenol — anti-inflammatory | — | |
| Rosmarinic Acid | Present | Antioxidant, antimicrobial polyphenol | — | |
| Kaempferol | Present | Antioxidant flavonoid — cardioprotective | — | |
DV = Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet per FDA (2016 regulations). ✦ = Exceptionally high. EO = Essential Oil fraction. Source: USDA FoodData Central #171329
Fennel Seeds Nutritional Properties — What Makes Them Special
Six nutritional properties that explain why Shamar (شمر) and Saunf (سونف) have been prized in Arab, South Asian, and Mediterranean medicine for thousands of years.
Iron — Blood & Oxygen
Fennel seeds are one of the richest plant sources of iron — exceeding beef liver gram for gram. Iron is essential for haemoglobin production, oxygen transport, and energy metabolism. Particularly relevant for women of reproductive age, vegetarians, and anaemia-prone populations common in the Arab world.
Dietary Fiber — Digestion & Gut Health
Fennel seeds have an extraordinarily high fiber content — 159% of the daily requirement per 100g. This insoluble and soluble fiber combination explains their potent digestive benefits: relieving constipation, reducing IBS symptoms, feeding beneficial gut bacteria, and slowing glucose absorption. Each teaspoon adds 0.8g fiber to your diet.
Calcium — Bones & Muscles
Fennel seeds contain more calcium per 100g than milk (119mg/100ml). While you won’t consume 100g of seeds in one sitting, adding fennel seeds to daily cooking provides a meaningful calcium boost from an unexpected source. Calcium works alongside fennel’s magnesium (385mg/100g) for comprehensive bone mineral density support.
Magnesium — Heart, Nerves & Energy
Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body — and fennel seeds are an exceptionally rich source. Magnesium supports heart rhythm, nerve function, blood pressure regulation, blood sugar control, and energy production. Deficiency is common globally; adding fennel seeds to cooking is one of the tastiest ways to address it.
Manganese — The Hidden Superstar
Manganese is fennel seeds’ highest nutrient relative to the daily value — 283% per 100g. This trace mineral is essential for bone formation, wound healing, antioxidant enzyme function (superoxide dismutase), and carbohydrate metabolism. Even a single teaspoon provides 6% of the daily manganese requirement — a meaningful contribution from such a small amount.
Antioxidants — Quercetin & Polyphenols
Beyond conventional nutrients, fennel seeds contain significant amounts of the antioxidant quercetin (~180mg/100g), rosmarinic acid, and kaempferol. These polyphenols neutralise free radicals, inhibit inflammatory NF-κB pathways, and have shown cancer-preventive activity in laboratory studies. Trans-anethole (the primary essential oil compound) is itself a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
Fennel Seeds Nutrition Calculator
Enter your serving size and get the exact nutritional values — with Arabic translation of the key numbers.
If you drink 1 cup of Shamar tea daily (1 tsp seeds) you get: 7 calories, 0.8g fiber, 1.2mg iron (7% DV), 24mg calcium — every single day, with zero effort.
Adding 1 tbsp of Shamaar to a pot of machboos (serves 6) — each person gets just 3.5 calories from fennel but 0.31mg iron, 12mg calcium, and full digestive benefits.
Fennel Seeds vs Other Spices — Nutritional Comparison
How does Shamar/Saunf stack up nutritionally against other common spices? Per 100g comparison using USDA data.
| Spice (per 100g) | Calories | Fiber (g) | Iron (mg) | Calcium (mg) | Magnesium (mg) | Vit C (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌿 Fennel Seeds (Shamar) | 345 | 39.8 ✦ | 18.5 ✦ | 1196 ✦ | 385 ✦ | 21 |
| Cumin Seeds (Zeera) | 375 | 10.5 | 66.4 ✦ | 931 | 366 | 7.7 |
| Coriander Seeds | 298 | 41.9 | 16.3 | 709 | 330 | 21 |
| Cardamom (Hail/Elaichi) | 311 | 28 | 13.9 | 383 | 229 | 21 ✦ |
| Fenugreek Seeds (Hilba) | 323 | 24.6 | 33.5 | 176 | 191 | 3 |
| Anise Seeds (Yansoon) | 337 | 14.6 | 36.96 | 646 | 170 | 21 |
| Black Seeds (Habbatus Sauda) | 375 | 10.5 | 15.7 | 931 | — | — |
✦ = Notably high for this nutrient. Source: USDA FoodData Central. All values per 100g dry weight.
Key Takeaway — Where Fennel Wins
Fennel seeds rank #1 or #2 for fiber and calcium among common spices. Their iron content (18.5mg/100g) is exceptional, though cumin is higher. For magnesium, fennel and cumin are essentially tied at the top. Fennel’s unique advantage is its combination of high minerals + the bioactive compound trans-anethole, which no other common spice contains in meaningful amounts.
القيمة الغذائية للشمر — للقارئ العربي
الشمر (Foeniculum vulgare) من أكثر التوابل كثافةً غذائيةً في العالم. رغم استخدامه بكميات صغيرة، يُضيف إلى وجباتك عناصر غذائية نادرة يصعب الحصول عليها من مصادر أخرى — لا سيما الحديد والكالسيوم والمغنيسيوم والألياف.
- الألياف الغذائية٣٩.٨غ · ١٥٩٪ يومي
- الحديد١٨.٥ملغ · ١٠٣٪ يومي
- الكالسيوم١١٩٦ملغ · ٩٢٪ يومي
- المغنيسيوم٣٨٥ملغ · ٩٢٪ يومي
- المنغنيز٦.٥٣ملغ · ٢٨٣٪ يومي
- البروتين١٥.٨غ / ١٠٠غ
- فيتامين C٢١ملغ / ١٠٠غ
- فيتامين K٦٢.٨ ميكروغرام
- السعرات الحرارية٣٤٥ سعرة/١٠٠غ · ٧ سعرة/ملعقة صغيرة
يُستخدم الشمر بكميات قليلة (ملعقة صغيرة إلى كبيرة)، لذا تبدو سعراته الحرارية ضئيلة جداً (٧ سعرات فقط للملعقة الصغيرة). لكن الفوائد الحقيقية تأتي من استخدامه اليومي المنتظم في الشاي والطبخ — حيث يُضيف تراكمياً كميات مهمة من الحديد والكالسيوم والألياف إلى نظامك الغذائي.
🩸 ١.٢ملغ حديد (٧٪ من اليومي)
🦴 ٢٤ملغ كالسيوم
🌾 ٠.٨غ ألياف (٣٪ يومي)
⚡ ٧.٧ملغ مغنيسيوم
🩸 ١.٨٥ملغ حديد (١٠٪ يومي)
🦴 ٧٢ملغ كالسيوم
🌾 ٢.٤غ ألياف (٩٪ يومي)
⚡ ٢٣ملغ مغنيسيوم
Fennel Seeds Nutrition — FAQ
Most asked questions about the nutritional value and properties of fennel seeds.
Fennel Seeds Hub
The complete fennel guide — pillar page with all topics
PillarFennel in Arabic
Shamar (شمر) — all Arabic dialect names explained
ArabicFennel Tea Benefits
12 science-backed benefits of شاي الشمر
HealthFennel for Women
Menstrual, lactation & hormonal health guide
WomenFennel Seeds Uses
15 ways to use Shamar/Saunf in cooking & medicine
UsesFennel Seeds
Nutrition Facts
Complete nutritional profile of fennel seeds (Shamar / شمر / Saunf / سونف) — every macro, vitamin, and mineral, per teaspoon and per 100g. Sourced directly from USDA FoodData Central.
Fennel Seeds Nutrition Per Teaspoon (2g)
Since fennel seeds are used as a spice, the teaspoon serving size is the most practical measure. A typical recipe uses ½–2 teaspoons — here is exactly what that adds to your diet.
Serving size 1 tsp (2g)
Fennel Seeds Nutrition Per 100g — Full USDA Data
Complete nutritional breakdown of fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare) per 100g dry weight. Source: USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 171329.
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Per 1 tsp (2g) | Per 1 tbsp (6g) | % DV (100g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⚡ Macronutrients | ||||
| Calories | 345 kcal | 7 kcal | 21 kcal | — |
| Total Fat | 14.9g | 0.3g | 0.9g | 19% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.48g | 0.01g | 0.03g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9.91g | 0.2g | 0.6g | — |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.69g | 0.03g | 0.1g | — |
| Total Carbohydrates | 52.3g | 1.05g | 3.1g | 19% |
| Dietary Fiber | 39.8g | 0.8g | 2.4g | 159% ✦ |
| Sugars | 0g | 0g | 0g | 0% |
| Protein | 15.8g | 0.32g | 0.95g | 32% |
| Water | 8.81g | 0.18g | 0.53g | — |
| 🔩 Minerals | ||||
| Iron | 18.5mg | 1.2mg | 1.85mg | 103% ✦ |
| Calcium | 1,196mg | 24mg | 72mg | 92% ✦ |
| Magnesium | 385mg | 7.7mg | 23mg | 92% ✦ |
| Manganese | 6.53mg | 0.13mg | 0.39mg | 283% ✦ |
| Potassium | 1,694mg | 33.9mg | 102mg | 36% |
| Phosphorus | 487mg | 9.7mg | 29mg | 39% |
| Zinc | 3.7mg | 0.07mg | 0.22mg | 34% |
| Copper | 1.07mg | 0.02mg | 0.06mg | 119% |
| Selenium | 6.3mcg | 0.13mcg | 0.38mcg | 11% |
| Sodium | 88mg | 1.8mg | 5.3mg | 4% |
| 🌟 Vitamins | ||||
| Vitamin C | 21mg | 0.42mg | 1.26mg | 23% |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.41mg | 0.008mg | 0.025mg | 34% |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.35mg | 0.007mg | 0.021mg | 27% |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 6.05mg | 0.12mg | 0.36mg | 38% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.47mg | 0.009mg | 0.028mg | 28% |
| Folate (B9) | 10mcg | 0.2mcg | 0.6mcg | 3% |
| Vitamin A | 135 IU | 2.7 IU | 8.1 IU | 3% |
| Vitamin E | 2.1mg | 0.04mg | 0.13mg | 14% |
| Vitamin K | 62.8mcg | 1.3mcg | 3.8mcg | 52% |
| 🧬 Bioactive Compounds | ||||
| Trans-Anethole | ~80% of EO | Primary bioactive compound — digestive, anti-inflammatory | — | |
| Fenchone | ~12% of EO | Antimicrobial, flavour compound | — | |
| Estragole | ~5% of EO | Phytoestrogenic compound | — | |
| Quercetin | ~180mg | Antioxidant polyphenol — anti-inflammatory | — | |
| Rosmarinic Acid | Present | Antioxidant, antimicrobial polyphenol | — | |
| Kaempferol | Present | Antioxidant flavonoid — cardioprotective | — | |
DV = Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet per FDA (2016 regulations). ✦ = Exceptionally high. EO = Essential Oil fraction. Source: USDA FoodData Central #171329
Fennel Seeds Nutritional Properties — What Makes Them Special
Six nutritional properties that explain why Shamar (شمر) and Saunf (سونف) have been prized in Arab, South Asian, and Mediterranean medicine for thousands of years.
Iron — Blood & Oxygen
Fennel seeds are one of the richest plant sources of iron — exceeding beef liver gram for gram. Iron is essential for haemoglobin production, oxygen transport, and energy metabolism. Particularly relevant for women of reproductive age, vegetarians, and anaemia-prone populations common in the Arab world.
Dietary Fiber — Digestion & Gut Health
Fennel seeds have an extraordinarily high fiber content — 159% of the daily requirement per 100g. This insoluble and soluble fiber combination explains their potent digestive benefits: relieving constipation, reducing IBS symptoms, feeding beneficial gut bacteria, and slowing glucose absorption. Each teaspoon adds 0.8g fiber to your diet.
Calcium — Bones & Muscles
Fennel seeds contain more calcium per 100g than milk (119mg/100ml). While you won't consume 100g of seeds in one sitting, adding fennel seeds to daily cooking provides a meaningful calcium boost from an unexpected source. Calcium works alongside fennel's magnesium (385mg/100g) for comprehensive bone mineral density support.
Magnesium — Heart, Nerves & Energy
Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body — and fennel seeds are an exceptionally rich source. Magnesium supports heart rhythm, nerve function, blood pressure regulation, blood sugar control, and energy production. Deficiency is common globally; adding fennel seeds to cooking is one of the tastiest ways to address it.
Manganese — The Hidden Superstar
Manganese is fennel seeds' highest nutrient relative to the daily value — 283% per 100g. This trace mineral is essential for bone formation, wound healing, antioxidant enzyme function (superoxide dismutase), and carbohydrate metabolism. Even a single teaspoon provides 6% of the daily manganese requirement — a meaningful contribution from such a small amount.
Antioxidants — Quercetin & Polyphenols
Beyond conventional nutrients, fennel seeds contain significant amounts of the antioxidant quercetin (~180mg/100g), rosmarinic acid, and kaempferol. These polyphenols neutralise free radicals, inhibit inflammatory NF-κB pathways, and have shown cancer-preventive activity in laboratory studies. Trans-anethole (the primary essential oil compound) is itself a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
Fennel Seeds Nutrition Calculator
Enter your serving size and get the exact nutritional values — with Arabic translation of the key numbers.
If you drink 1 cup of Shamar tea daily (1 tsp seeds) you get: 7 calories, 0.8g fiber, 1.2mg iron (7% DV), 24mg calcium — every single day, with zero effort.
Adding 1 tbsp of Shamaar to a pot of machboos (serves 6) — each person gets just 3.5 calories from fennel but 0.31mg iron, 12mg calcium, and full digestive benefits.
Fennel Seeds vs Other Spices — Nutritional Comparison
How does Shamar/Saunf stack up nutritionally against other common spices? Per 100g comparison using USDA data.
| Spice (per 100g) | Calories | Fiber (g) | Iron (mg) | Calcium (mg) | Magnesium (mg) | Vit C (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌿 Fennel Seeds (Shamar) | 345 | 39.8 ✦ | 18.5 ✦ | 1196 ✦ | 385 ✦ | 21 |
| Cumin Seeds (Zeera) | 375 | 10.5 | 66.4 ✦ | 931 | 366 | 7.7 |
| Coriander Seeds | 298 | 41.9 | 16.3 | 709 | 330 | 21 |
| Cardamom (Hail/Elaichi) | 311 | 28 | 13.9 | 383 | 229 | 21 ✦ |
| Fenugreek Seeds (Hilba) | 323 | 24.6 | 33.5 | 176 | 191 | 3 |
| Anise Seeds (Yansoon) | 337 | 14.6 | 36.96 | 646 | 170 | 21 |
| Black Seeds (Habbatus Sauda) | 375 | 10.5 | 15.7 | 931 | — | — |
✦ = Notably high for this nutrient. Source: USDA FoodData Central. All values per 100g dry weight.
Key Takeaway — Where Fennel Wins
Fennel seeds rank #1 or #2 for fiber and calcium among common spices. Their iron content (18.5mg/100g) is exceptional, though cumin is higher. For magnesium, fennel and cumin are essentially tied at the top. Fennel's unique advantage is its combination of high minerals + the bioactive compound trans-anethole, which no other common spice contains in meaningful amounts.
القيمة الغذائية للشمر — للقارئ العربي
الشمر (Foeniculum vulgare) من أكثر التوابل كثافةً غذائيةً في العالم. رغم استخدامه بكميات صغيرة، يُضيف إلى وجباتك عناصر غذائية نادرة يصعب الحصول عليها من مصادر أخرى — لا سيما الحديد والكالسيوم والمغنيسيوم والألياف.
- الألياف الغذائية٣٩.٨غ · ١٥٩٪ يومي
- الحديد١٨.٥ملغ · ١٠٣٪ يومي
- الكالسيوم١١٩٦ملغ · ٩٢٪ يومي
- المغنيسيوم٣٨٥ملغ · ٩٢٪ يومي
- المنغنيز٦.٥٣ملغ · ٢٨٣٪ يومي
- البروتين١٥.٨غ / ١٠٠غ
- فيتامين C٢١ملغ / ١٠٠غ
- فيتامين K٦٢.٨ ميكروغرام
- السعرات الحرارية٣٤٥ سعرة/١٠٠غ · ٧ سعرة/ملعقة صغيرة
يُستخدم الشمر بكميات قليلة (ملعقة صغيرة إلى كبيرة)، لذا تبدو سعراته الحرارية ضئيلة جداً (٧ سعرات فقط للملعقة الصغيرة). لكن الفوائد الحقيقية تأتي من استخدامه اليومي المنتظم في الشاي والطبخ — حيث يُضيف تراكمياً كميات مهمة من الحديد والكالسيوم والألياف إلى نظامك الغذائي.
🩸 ١.٢ملغ حديد (٧٪ من اليومي)
🦴 ٢٤ملغ كالسيوم
🌾 ٠.٨غ ألياف (٣٪ يومي)
⚡ ٧.٧ملغ مغنيسيوم
🩸 ١.٨٥ملغ حديد (١٠٪ يومي)
🦴 ٧٢ملغ كالسيوم
🌾 ٢.٤غ ألياف (٩٪ يومي)
⚡ ٢٣ملغ مغنيسيوم
Fennel Seeds Nutrition — FAQ
Most asked questions about the nutritional value and properties of fennel seeds.
Fennel Seeds Hub
The complete fennel guide — pillar page with all topics
PillarFennel in Arabic
Shamar (شمر) — all Arabic dialect names explained
ArabicFennel Tea Benefits
12 science-backed benefits of شاي الشمر
HealthFennel for Women
Menstrual, lactation & hormonal health guide
WomenFennel Seeds Uses
15 ways to use Shamar/Saunf in cooking & medicine
Uses