Lentils are legumes that have managed to find a place in several culinary traditions. This is partly because they are so incredibly nutritious. Lentils are believed to be native to Southeast Asia. However, they are grown in many other places, such as the Mediterranean region and America.
Lentils are low in calories. However, they are rich in fiber, amino acids and antioxidants. They offer tremendous benefits to the body. There are different types of lentils, but each one contains a large number of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. These nutrients help to keep your body energized.
1. Lentils reduce blood sugar levels
Unlike simple carbohydrates, lentils are great for lowering blood sugar.
The carbohydrates contained in lentils, of which starch is one, are slowly absorbed by the body. They support the process by which sugar is converted into energy, thus lowering the risk of diabetes.
2. Lentils improve cardiovascular health
One of the benefits of lentils is that they improve cardiovascular health.
This legume contains no cholesterol or harmful fats at all. Lentils are therefore great for the heart and arteries.
First of all, they contain a small number of polyunsaturated fats. This allows them to help remove harmful lipids that cause plaque in the veins.
Besides that, the fibers cause the intestines to absorb less fat and cholesterol. This can prevent problems such as high cholesterol.
3. Lentils help to build muscle mass
It's no surprise that athletes and fitness enthusiasts like me, love the benefits of lentils. After all, lentils are very helpful for building muscle mass and strengthening muscles.
They contain a large number of valuable proteins. These have a positive impact on the recovery of muscles after they have been affected by heavy exercise. The slow carbohydrates increase energy levels and improve athletic ability.
4. Lentils help with anemia
One of the benefits of lentils is that they combat anemia. This legume also provides the body with a significant amount of iron, magnesium and zinc. These are all essential minerals that help people with anemia to fully restore their health.
In fact, these minerals play a role in the formation of red blood cells. Of these, fewer are present when anemia is present. In addition, they support cell function and reduce symptoms of fatigue.
5. Lentils protect the nervous system
Eating lentils is a great way to prevent nervous system problems.
The large number of B vitamins that lentils contain help to improve nerve connections. They protect them from damage caused by free radicals and they promote the secretion of the happiness hormone.
6. Lentils support skin and hair health
The vitamins, minerals and amino acids that lentils contain are also great for your skin and hair. When these nutrients are absorbed by the body, cell regeneration improves. This is very important if you want to prevent premature aging.
Moreover, they are useful if you want to ensure that your skin heals faster when you suffer from cuts or wounds. This is because lentils are high in protein and vitamin E.
The minerals that lentils contain help to make your hair stronger and prevent hair loss.
7. Lentils prevent constipation
One of the benefits of lentils is that they can prevent constipation. Consuming lentils regularly can provide remarkable benefits for your digestive system.
The fiber that lentils contain promotes good digestion. At the same time, they cause your intestines to move. As a result, they are better able to remove waste products from the body.
In addition, fiber serves as food for the healthy bacteria that live in the colon. And if that wasn't enough, they can also help prevent constipation.
8. Lentils support weight loss
While there are no miracle cures for losing weight, lentils can be very helpful. They contain very few calories and are actually very nutritious. This makes them great for supporting weight loss without going hungry or risking a nutritional deficiency.
Besides, lentils contain almost no fat at all. This allows you to eat them without fear of gaining weight.
Finally, the fiber contained in this legume will make you feel full for longer. This, of course, is very important in keeping your appetite in check.
In the table below you can see and compare the macros of different types of legumes. You can see that lentils are quite low in calories, low in fat, but high in protein and fibers compared to other legumes.
Source: Voedingswaardetabel
Recipe
Lentils can easily be added to salads or a delicious Indian Curry.
A super tasty Indian Curry recipe can be found here.
Comments