{"id":1726,"date":"2022-01-16T18:46:49","date_gmt":"2022-01-16T18:46:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plixlife.com\/blog\/?p=1726"},"modified":"2022-11-30T06:43:53","modified_gmt":"2022-11-30T06:43:53","slug":"health-benefits-of-lentils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.plixlife.com\/blog\/health-benefits-of-lentils\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Benefits Of Lentils"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Lentil Protein- Health Benefits & Nutritional Facts<\/h2>\n

Lentil, are one of the world\u2019s oldest and healthiest foods. What are they? Lentils are basically the seeds of legumes. They are easily identifiable by their lens shape and they look like tiny beans.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are a variety of types and they can be differentiated by size or colour or both. They usually come in red, brown, green or black.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many studies have shown, that legumes were first grown and harvested around 8000 B.C., and since then it has remained a staple and highly nutritious food source for millennia, especially in Asia and North Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of pulses and lentils available<\/span><\/h2>\n

As they are usually categorized by colour, here is a quick overview of the different types of pulses and lentils:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Brown Lentils or Sabut masoor<\/span><\/h3>\n

These are the most common but the de-husked brown lentils are more orange\/pink in appearance and widely consumed<\/span><\/p>\n

\"brown<\/p>\n

2. Green gram or Harey moong<\/span><\/h3>\n

These are also widely available and the de-husked ones are <\/b>a bright golden yellow in appearance and are just called Moong dal\/Mung beans.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"green<\/p>\n

3. Black gram<\/span> or Sabut Urad<\/span><\/h3>\n

This type of lentil is a very light yellow when de-husked and are called Urad dal<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Black<\/p>\n

4. Chickpeas or Garbanzo beans or Safed chana<\/span><\/h3>\n

This type of lentil is also very widely used. And it is one of the main ingredients to make the ever so popular Hummus.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Chickpeas<\/p>\n

5. Brown chickpeas or Kala Chana or Bengal Gram<\/span><\/h3>\n

This makes an excellent addition to a variety of dishes and salads and are one of the most popular choices as a pre or post-workout sprouts or even just a very healthy evening snack. Ground up, it also makes a type of chickpea flour called Besan which can also be used for a variety of foods<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brown<\/p>\n

6. Kidney beans or Rajma<\/span><\/h3>\n

These have a somewhat different appearance from most other lentils as the name suggests. They are slightly larger than other lentils and have a kidney shape. They can be a dark brownish red or a light pale brownish pink-white.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Kidney<\/p>\n

Health benefits of lentils<\/span><\/h2>\n

Good source of nutrition is one of the key benefits of lentils<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"lentil<\/p>\n

Lentils, despite being one of the main, cheapest and easiest sources of a very wide variety of required nutrients like iron, zinc, potassium and Vitamin B, is often overlooked by people.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is also one of the richest sources of plant-based protein<\/a>. You can get upto 37% of your RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) of Iron, 36% of Phosphorus and 49% of Manganese, among others.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the benefits of Lentils is that they are also quite rich in fiber which helps in maintaining healthy intestinal bacteria and regular bowel movement, both of which are extremely necessary for a healthy life.<\/span><\/p>\n

A beneficial plant compound, broadly called phyto-chemicals, many of which protect against chronic diseases such as heart disease and Type-II diabetes, are also abundant in lentils, especially polyphenols. Many of these polyphenols such as flavanols are also antioxidant and anti-inflammmatory.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to some studies, polyphenols in lentils also stopped growth of cancerous cells especially of the skin. And perhaps most importantly, these polyphenols do not lose their potency after cooking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Studies also found that the consumption of small amounts of lentils on a daily basis, helped in controlling LDL cholesterol and harmful triglycerides along with maintaining steady blood pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is quite a filling food too and keeps your appetite steady for longer, thus also helping regulate blood sugar levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nutritional facts of Lentil Protein<\/span><\/h2>\n

On average, every 100gms of cooked lentils<\/i><\/b> provides us with:<\/span><\/p>\n