Health Benefits of Lentils
By Srikanth R, 7th Mar 2011 | Follow this author
| RSS Feed | Short URL http://nut.bz/16gucftr/
Posted in WikinutHealthDiet & Nutrition
Lentils have immense health benefits. This article provides detailed information regarding various health benefits of lentils.
What are lentils?:
Lentils belong to the legume family. Lentils are staple food for Indians. Lentil is a type of pulse. Human beings have been consuming lentils for thousands of years. They are grown in ponds. They are availble in different colors like red, green, orange, black, brown and yellow. They are easy to cook and are available throughout the year. Lentils are rich in essential nutrients. They are low in fat, high in fiber and low in calories.
Health benefits of Lentils:
Lentils have immense health benefits. Here are some of them:
Lentils are good for the heart: Regular consumption of lentils is proved to reduce the risk of heart disease. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine has confirmed that eating high fiber foods like lentils prevents heart disease. Lentils are also rich in folate and magnesium. Floate helps in reducing homocysteine in the blood stream. Homocysteine damages artery walls. Magnesium promotes healthy blood circulation, enabling supply of oxygen and essential nutrients throughout the body. Magnesium is a well known natural calcium channel blocker.
Lentils are rich in fiber: It is a well known fact that high fiber diet is good for general health. Lentils are rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Lentils prevent constipation and other digstive system related disorders.
Lentils contain iron: Lentils are rich in iron. Iron is an integral component of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is required to transport oxygen from lungs to all body cells.
Soluble fibers in lentils help in stabilizing blood sugar levels.
Lentils are rich in molybdenum: Molybdenum is an antioxidant. It helps the human body by breaking down harmful substances (preservatives). It is an essential component of enzyme systems. Molybdenum is helpful in reducing allergy symptoms. It prevents impotence, especially in older men. It helps the body in using iron, thereby preventing anaemia.
Lentils contain high amount of tryptophan, a type of amino acid, which helps in producing protein. Ttryptophan is an anti-depressant and is known to promote good sleep.
Lentil is definitely a superfood.
Comments
7th Mar 2011 (#)
Srikanth,
This is a very written article.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Reply to this comment
7th Mar 2011 (#)
Good presentation and useful info.
Reply to this comment
7th Mar 2011 (#)
Interesting Article with health facts on Lentils
Reply to this comment
14th Jun 2011 (#)
Srikanth. I would love to link this page with a recipe I am going to publish this week. If it is okay with you. Please let me know. Great info. Thank you for sharing.:)
Reply to this comment
15th Jun 2011 (#)
Please go ahead. I will be glad.
Reply to this comment
15th Jun 2011 (#)
Great! I should have the recipe out by tomorrow. Thank you.:)
Reply to this comment