Lentil - useful properties

From the family of legumes, the most ancient product is lentil , the useful properties of which were known even in the time of the pharaohs. In pre-industrial society lentil culture was spread almost all over the globe. What is worth only the famous lentil soup, which was used by all sections of the population, beginning with peasants, ending with nobles and kings. Unfortunately, these days lentil dishes have become very rare. And completely in vain. After all, on nutritional indicators, lentils outperform such products as bread, cereals and meat. And its unique delicate taste is able to satisfy the most demanding gourmet.

One of the main advantages of lentils is its inability to absorb toxins and radiation from the environment, thus making it unique and practically the only environmentally friendly product. In addition, you can grow lentils on any soil, even infertile, and care for it does not require any effort.

Another distinctive feature of lentils is that it contains vegetable protein in large quantities. It is easily digested and in no way inferior to meat, which makes this type of legumes an indispensable product for vegetarians and people suffering from elevated cholesterol. Useful properties of lentils for weight loss are caused by low fat content: about 1.5%. This makes it possible to use it as a dietary and sports nutrition.

What is lentil?

There are several main varieties of lentils:

• brown lentils (the most common type, has a delicate creamy taste, is able to keep the shape even after prolonged cooking);
• red lentils (its beans are cleaned from the shell, so they prepare very quickly - in just 10-15 minutes);
• green or "French" lentils (represented as unripe beans, which are often added to salads and light snacks);
• black lentils - "beluga" (it has an unusual, spicy taste and the highest protein content).

All varieties of lentils are equally useful. Its beans contain a lot of folic acid and iron, as well as B group vitamins and amino acids, which are irreplaceable for the body, including tryptophan, which in the process of metabolism is converted into serotonin, a hormone of happiness. The presence of fiber makes it an excellent tool for improving digestion and preventing colorectal cancer. Useful properties of lentils are useful in diabetes, as it is able to lower blood sugar and accelerate metabolism.

Like other crops, lentils can be germinated. Lentil stems contain a lot of useful properties for women. So, for example, due to the high content of potassium, they help the work of the heart and the hematopoietic system. And the vitamin C present in the sprouts plays an important role in protecting the immune system, which is especially important during pregnancy.

Contraindications

Like all beans, lentils have contraindications. It promotes gas formation, so it should be used with caution by people with diseases of the digestive system. Lentil is also not recommended for those who have joint and genitourinary diseases. Another serious contraindication may be kidney disease, since all legumes contain a small amount of a substance that promotes the formation of kidney stones. If the desire to taste lentils is very large, it is necessary to add fresh vegetables or greens to it. An excellent option is the use of lentils with vegetable salad, seasoned with vegetable oil. This will help reduce possible negative consequences.