We study the benefits and harms of lentils for the body
An excellent hunger-quenching lentil is one of the oldest agricultural crops that fed people long before the construction of the Egyptian pyramids. Today, lentils, the benefits and harms of which are the subject of interest of nutritionists and everyone who monitors health, is still popular.
The reason for this is the excellent taste, high nutritional value and a rich set of nutrients hidden under the shell of small flattened seeds.
Read also the article in the topic: the benefits of cherries for the human body!
Why lentils are useful: composition and calorie content
Lentils fully satisfy all three requirements, and this is evidenced by their micro- and macroelement composition, calorie content and vitamin content.
The beneficial properties of lentils are based on several factors. 100 grams of dry seeds contains 297 kcal. This portion of lentils contains:
- 23 grams of protein;
- 1.6 grams of fat;
- 46.2 grams of carbohydrates.
Seeds and dishes made from them are rich in fiber. Among the macronutrients, thanks to which this leguminous culture is valued by doctors, phosphorus and potassium, magnesium and sulfur, sodium, calcium. The trace element composition is no less rich. It includes boron and nicole, titanium and cobalt, silicon, fluorine, molybdenum, iodine, copper and selenium, iron and zinc.
How are lentils useful? In addition to mineral salts and nutrients, the seeds contain vitamins A, PP, E, as well as a whole range of B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, and tocopherol.
Regularly including lentils in the menu, you can easily replenish the reserves of vitamins, valuable minerals, nourish your body with energy and improve health.
The benefits of lentils for the human body
Legumes are among other plant crops - leaders in nutrient content. Lentils are no exception, and their seeds do not have an irritating effect on the digestive organs, which is beans, beans and peas.
The benefits of lentils for the body do not end there. The abundance of fiber causes the intestines to actively contract. Due to increased peristalsis, it is possible to cope with constipation, lentils actively remove toxins without causing increased gas formation or other inconveniences.
The vitamins in lentils are indispensable for the body. Although the seeds themselves are not rich in vitamin C, its absorption is impossible without the niacin present in lentils. Thiamine, together with magnesium and iron salts, has a beneficial effect on the work of the digestive system, on the course of metabolic processes, as well as the heart, blood vessels, hematopoiesis, and the nervous system.
Eating lentils regularly helps improve blood quality. Iron in organic form stimulates hemoglobin production and maintains optimal red blood cell levels.
The absence of cholesterol is useful for the danger of atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attack. Folic acid has anti-cancer effects. Speaking about the benefits and dangers of lentils, the presence of riboflavin cannot be ignored. This vitamin is indispensable for the genital area and the human endocrine system.
Along with dishes from seeds, a decoction of lentils and seedlings are used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.They, unlike dry fruits, are incredibly rich in ascorbic acid and low in calories. It is a great source of protein, dietary fiber, and healthy carbohydrates.
Benefits of lentils for weight loss
The combination of a high fiber concentration, relatively low calorie content and an extensive list of vitamins and minerals makes lentils an excellent product for those who are looking at weight and health.
Lentil dishes allow a person to quickly get full and not feel hungry for a long time. In addition, the fibrous structure, like a brush, cleans out undigested residues and slags. Lentils are able to cleanse the body of radionuclides and toxins.
The use of lentils for weight loss is aimed not only at high-quality saturation, but also at health improvement. The large amount of protein in each serving during the period of weight loss helps maintain excellent muscle tissue condition.
Dietary fiber, even with a strict diet, makes the intestines work actively and also contributes to weight loss.
Benefits of lentils for men's health
The anti-inflammatory properties of lentils, its beneficial effect on the state of blood vessels and the heart made the product very valuable for treating problems of the male genital area. Dishes and a decoction of this type of legume are used together with drug therapy:
- with prostatitis,
- when erectile dysfunction is detected;
- as prevention of oncological and inflammatory diseases.
For all the benefits of lentils, the harm from its illiterate use can be very serious. Therefore, do not forget about following the doctor's recommendations and neglect traditional treatment.
As a source of protein, lentils are useful for athletes who monitor weight and muscle mass.
Why lentils are useful for the body of a woman and a child
Legumes are rich in B vitamins. And besides them, there are many compounds in lentil seeds, whose effect on the female body is similar to the work of hormones. Phytoestrogens facilitate the course of menopause:
- normalizing blood pressure;
- aligning the heart rate;
- reducing the number and depth of tides;
- protect the body from the destructive effects of cancer cells;
- maintaining a stable mood and performance.
What else is lentil useful for the body? Thanks to the cleansing properties and nutritional value of the seeds, legumes can help maintain weight and muscle tone.
Tryptophan, a valuable amino acid also found in seeds, helps women to cope with menstruation painlessly and not suffer from mood swings during pregnancy, postpartum, PMS and menopause.
Can lentils be for a nursing mother? How might the inclusion of this product in the diet affect the baby? The peculiarity of this type of legumes is the absence of allergic reactions and increased gas production, characteristic of other related crops.
Therefore, a moderate amount of lentils will not only not interfere with women's health, on the contrary, healthy hearty dishes:
- replenish the supply of nutrients;
- fill the body with energy and improve mood;
- support the active work of the digestive system, eliminating toxins and toxins;
- help to maintain the beauty of skin and hair;
- improve the quality of breast milk;
- will serve as an excellent prevention of anemia.
When breastfeeding and feeding children from one year old, lentils are used as a natural remedy to maintain muscle tone and bone strength. Topically, a mixture of lentil flour and oil is used as a safe soothing, anti-inflammatory agent for baby skin.
Harm and contraindication to eating lentils
Lentil dishes are an indispensable part of the menu of athletes, vegetarians, people who care about health and weight maintenance.
With the help of such a menu, patients with diabetes, atherosclerosis, and patients with diseases of the genitourinary sphere will definitely feel relief.However, lentils are not always useful, harm to health from its use is possible if a person has:
- gout;
- urolithiasis disease;
- dysbiosis and other inflammatory processes in all parts of the intestine.
In addition, a small number of people have an individual intolerance to the product. Therefore, no matter how tasty lentils are, their use should always be moderate and approved by a doctor.
Related article: Lentil dishes recipes are simple and delicious with a photo in a slow cooker!