The benefits and harms of lentils
Legumes have been consumed by humans for many centuries. One of the most famous members of this family is lentils. This wonderful product has the peculiarity of not taking in harmful substances. Therefore, it can be considered useful and environmentally friendly.
Benefits of lentils
Lentil seeds are very high in protein, so people who adhere to the principles of vegetarianism value it extremely and compare it with meat in its nutritional properties. In addition, lentils are easily absorbed by the body due to the lack of fats that are necessarily present in meat. This product contains a large amount of amino acids and minerals, it does not accumulate toxic and harmful substances.
It is recommended to eat lentil dishes for people suffering from diabetes. Lentil puree is beneficial for diseases of the digestive tract, such as colitis, ulcers. The fiber in this product has a beneficial effect on the digestive process and is a prevention for colon cancer. Lentil porridge strengthens the immune system, normalizes the activity of the genitourinary sphere, and activates metabolism.
Lentils germinate very well. Lentil sprouts are very nutritious and beneficial to humans in much the same way as wheat sprouts. For germination, take a gray or green variety of lentils with peels.
Lentils are recommended for pregnant women. It contains a lot of iron and folic acid. In general, lentils have a very large selection of nutrients and vitamins. It is useful to consume lentil dishes to get rid of depression. After all, it contains a lot of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin - the hormone of joy. Green lentils contain the most tryptophan.
Lentils contain isoflavones, a substance used to prevent breast cancer. It is noteworthy that isoflavones are not destroyed in any way due to exposure to temperature. It is also useful to use lentils for heart ailments, this is facilitated by potassium.
Some scientists believe that lentils prevent the appearance of polyps and have a beneficial effect on skin conditions. Lentils are also used to treat stomach and intestinal diseases.
Lentil damage
Like any other product, lentils also have their own contraindications. Of course, there are much fewer negative aspects when using it, but you also need to know them:
- Large amounts of lentils can cause indigestion.
- Like other legumes, lentils contribute to gassing in the intestines, so it should not be consumed in large quantities.
- People with gout, diathesis, or with sore joints should be treated with caution.
- With dysbiosis, lentils are also not recommended to be consumed.
- Lentils contain substances that interfere with the proper absorption of certain trace elements. Therefore, consume it in limited quantities for the full absorption of zinc, calcium and iron.
Slimming lentils
By themselves, lentils cannot be called a low-calorie product - they contain about 290 kcal per 100 g of its mass. Its main benefit lies in its special composition, which gives the body a lot of vitamins and minerals. In addition, lentils perfectly saturate the body with protein, preventing the body from burning muscle tissue instead of fat. The fiber contained in lentil grains quickly saturates a person and eliminates overeating.
Lentil dishes are great for slimming they are also very easy to prepare. And such cooking takes very little time. Here are some helpful tips to help you quickly prepare lentils for your diet:
- Any kind of lentil requires soaking before boiling. This will shorten the cooking time.
- If you're planning on making a lentil salad, go for the green variety. It retains its shape perfectly.
- Brown lentils are ideal for making soups. It cooks quickly and has a pleasant nutty flavor.
- Use black lentils for side dishes and stews. This is the most expensive and sophisticated variety.
- If you want to cook lentil porridge, then go for the red variety. It cooks quickly and boils well.
