Lentils: beneficial properties and contraindications for the body

Perhaps one of the most “exotic” foods is lentils. Indeed, in everyday life and peas with beans, people use infrequently, not to mention this representative of legumes. Nevertheless, the beneficial properties of lentils deserve special attention and careful study, as they are, without exaggeration, unique. This topic is especially important for people leading a healthy lifestyle. Legume has a low calorie content and rich chemical composition. Given this, we can talk about the unconditional positive effect of lentils on the human body. It is also considered a good adjuvant in the treatment of a number of diseases. But you should be careful, because lentils, like many other products, have contraindications. We’ll find out about everything connected with this culture right now.

Some General Information About Lentils

The representative of legumes, probably, seems exotic, not only because it is rarely used in Russian cuisine, but also because it is now grown in India, North Africa and Southern Europe. But once Russia occupied the first place in the world in its production. In ancient Russia, they knew well about the beneficial properties of lentils, therefore they loved this product very much. The plant is a small bean, inside of which there are several seeds. They are eaten all over the world. Lentils come in several colors:

• black
• red;
• green.

Each variety has its own taste, positive qualities and cooking time.

All About Black Lentils

This variety is boiled quickly, and looks very similar to beluga caviar. Black lentils were bred in Canada. The greatest benefit of the variety is achieved by germinating seeds. Sprouts are used to make various salads. Black lentils are not inferior to red and green in their useful properties.

Features of Red Lentils

Seeds have a soft, very interesting, but not pronounced taste. The beneficial properties of red lentils are primarily due to the content of the greatest amount of iron in it. Therefore, it is especially useful for anemia and many diseases of the circulatory system. Like black, the red variety is very fast to cook. Ideal for a variety of side dishes, and also included in recipes for soups. A distinctive feature of red lentils is that it is absorbed very quickly by the body.

Benefits of Green Lentils

The most popular and oldest variety. The beneficial properties of green lentils have been known for several centuries. It contains the greatest amount of fiber when compared with red or black variety. This is a unique adjuvant in the treatment of such a serious disease as diabetes mellitus, as well as chronic intestinal pathologies, in particular constipation.

To enhance the positive properties of the variety, it is recommended to use it together with cereals, for example, buckwheat or rice. But cooked green lentils for a very long time - at least an hour and a half. But it has a bright, pleasant taste, which will be appreciated not only by adult households, but also by children. Salads, soups, casseroles are prepared with green lentils, and also added to various side dishes. It is enough to try this variety once to fall in love with it forever.

Lentil chemistry and nutritional value

Given the substances contained in the product, we can talk about its contraindications and beneficial properties. Lentils have a unique composition, as can be seen by looking at the table. Data are per 100 g of product.

From this it can be seen that lentils are low in fat and high in protein, and therefore an excellent meat substitute. This property may be useful for vegetarians. After all, protein is an indispensable substance, the builder of new cells. And, as you know, vegetarians do not consume meat.

Lentils also contain a large number of other substances. Some of them are necessary daily for the correct and stable operation of all organs and systems of the human body. The other is unique, that is, such substances are not found in all products, but from that they are no less important for humans. You can get acquainted with the elements in lentils and useful properties from the table.

Useful properties of lentils for the human body

From the table above, it is already possible to single out a number of the most important qualities of this representative of bean culture. Soluble fibers deserve special attention. Once in the digestive tract, they turn into a gel-like substance that completely cleanses the gastrointestinal tract from bile and other harmful substances.

Vitamins of group B, namely thiamine and riboflavin, support the normal, proper functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system, have beneficial effects on blood vessels, especially those located in the brain. Vitamins of group B are good for memory, which contributes to increased performance.

Also, the beneficial properties of lentil groats are due to the content of trace elements and minerals:

• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• calcium;
• iron;
• magnesium;
• zinc;
• copper;
• selenium;
• manganese.

Magnesium is useful for the cardiovascular system, iron for the blood forming organs, and zinc is indispensable for the male prostate gland. Lentils prevent the development of obesity, breast cancer, iron deficiency, reduce the risk of stroke and ischemia, and stabilize the intestines. You can talk endlessly about the benefits of lentils, this is a truly unique product that has a beneficial effect on the whole organism, each of its cells. Equally important, she is one of the few who are not able to accumulate hazardous substances in their fibers. Therefore, lentils are an environmentally friendly product.

The special benefits of lentils for women

For many girls, the important question is the use of this unusual representative of legumes for weight loss. The beneficial properties of lentils in nutrition are that it contains very little fat and a lot of beneficial substances. There are so many of them in the product that even a 100-gram serving per day can make up for the daily intake. Lentils help get rid of excess fat, but given the high calorie content, do not use it in large quantities.

Lentils are isoflavones. These substances are unique in that they have high antioxidant activity. Due to this property, regular use of lentils in any form helps to reduce the risk of developing malignant tumors in the mammary gland and benign neoplasms in the uterus. Also for women, legumes are useful due to the ability to reduce the severity of premenstrual syndrome and manifestations of menopause.

Lentils and pregnancy

Especially useful product for women in an interesting position. In this case, it is difficult to exaggerate the beneficial properties of lentils for the body. It contains a large amount of folic acid - a substance necessary to prevent the development of various pathologies and abnormalities of the fetus. A high protein content will also positively affect the development of the baby in the womb, since this substance is the basis of cells. Potassium regulates blood circulation and prevents sudden changes in blood pressure in a pregnant woman. And iron will prevent the development of anemia, which is a fairly common occurrence in girls in position.

The benefits of lentils for men's health

According to statistics, it is men who most often suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system. But other useful properties of the product will have a positive effect on the body of the stronger sex. It is worth recalling that lentils contain zinc - this is perhaps the most important element for the prostate gland. It will help reduce the risk of developing various pathologies of the prostate.

Contraindications: when you can not eat lentils?

Everywhere has its pros and cons. But lentils have much more beneficial properties, and much less contraindications. However, in order not to harm yourself, not to worsen your health, it is worth treating them with great attention:

• peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
• intestinal dysbiosis;
• biliary dyskinesia.

In extreme cases, if there is one of these conditions, and I would really like to try lentils, or if they are a favorite product, then it is recommended that you first consult with your doctor.

Everything is good only in moderation, and when something goes beyond the norm, the opposite effect is obtained. Excessive consumption of the product can cause gout and gas formation in the intestines. Due to the content of a large number of purines in the composition, lentils contribute to the accumulation of uric acid, which, in turn, causes the formation of kidney stones. So you should not use it in large quantities.

Useful properties of lentil seedlings

As already mentioned, germinated seeds are even more beneficial. To obtain sprouts, you need to take green lentils. A black variety is also suitable. The seeds are washed, poured with water and left for two to three hours. Then the liquid is drained, and the bean container is placed in a warm place. In less than a day, sprouts will appear. When their height reaches about 1.5-2 cm, you can pluck and eat. For a more pleasant taste, the seedlings are mixed with honey or dried fruits, crushed into a salad, soup or other dish.

Speaking specifically about the beneficial properties of sprouted lentils, they are the same as grains. That is, using it in this form, you should not worry that any important elements will not have a positive effect on the body. Therefore, you can choose, relying only on the form in which this representative of the legume culture is tastier.

What can be cooked from lentils?

Cooking recipes are enough to be able to diversify the menu for a week. Salads, porridge are prepared from lentils, added to soup and boiled together with a side dish. You can even make cutlets out of it. In general, if you look through cookbooks, you can find many affordable cooking options.

Porridge is cooked in this way:

• sort out legumes;
• soak for several hours in running cold water;
• pour lentils into boiling water in a ratio of 1 to 3, respectively;
• cook depending on the variety: black and red - 15-25 minutes, green - about 60-90 minutes.

It is important that during the cooking process a foam will form that cannot be removed - this is a water-soluble protein. To return it back, you need to add a tablespoon of butter in a saucepan.

Ready porridge is served on the table with a side dish or added to the salad. For example, you can enjoy the delicate taste and beneficial properties of lentils in a recipe with bell peppers, lettuce and herbs. All the ingredients you just need to chop and mix, adding spices and salt to taste. You can take absolutely any herbs, for example, thyme, mint, rosemary, sage and others. Green onions, arugula and spinach are great. It will turn out a very tasty and healthy salad, which will make up for the lack of most of the substances important for the life of the body. This dish will be very useful even after a workout - a high protein content will help restore muscle tissue.