We all know that eating lentils is good. And we do not mean only in terms of taste, but also for our health, it is popular as one of the foods listed by those who want to gain muscle mass. As well as for vegans by allowing them to create vegetarian meat… But even if those are things that we already know about lentils. Have you stopped to think about what lies beyond? Namely. Do you know all the properties and benefits that these beans give us? If the answer is No. Well, stay, because you will surely receive more than one surprise while you read.
What are the nutritional properties of lentils?
Let’s start this article strong, we are going to discover what are the main nutritional properties that these small legumes offer us. Well, after knowing it, the adjective “small” will probably fall short:
They are an excellent source of vitamins A, B2, B1, B5, B3, B6 and B12, as well as choline, vitamin E, vitamin C and K. The levels of molybdenum they possess are enormous, representing a total of 148mcg. They provide our body with some folic acid (approximately 90% of the value per day that is recommended). Finally, they are a considerable source of Calcium, Iron, Selino, magnesium, copper, potassium, phosphorus and finally, zinc.
Know the list of benefits that eating lentils gives us to our body.
Below we will share the complete list with each of the benefits that eating lentils offers us for our body. Take note! The contribution of folic acid during the pregnancy period helps prevent the placenta from suffering deformations. Thus, causing problems such as anencephaly or spina bifida. They are perfect for those who want to build a diet to lose weight, since they only provide 230 calories per 100 grams of lentils. In addition, thanks to its fiber, it increases the feeling of satisfaction and fullness in people. If you dare to eat lentils, you will be able to avoid suffering from constipation, thanks to the high fiber content they have. They allow us to reduce cholesterol. Thanks to lentils you can keep your blood sugar levels at a stable level. What makes this food a signing for diabetics. Ter allow fight against anemia thanks to its rich iron content. They strengthen the health of our heart. This reduces the risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
How does eating lentils harm us?
Although we love to talk wonders about this food. It is far from perfect, because depending on certain cases and conditions that a person suffers, it will not be advisable to eat lentils. That is why we invite you to take into consideration the following list.
Eating lentils is not recommended if you are someone trying to reduce your dietary potassium levels. An example would be those who suffer from kidney failure, or alternatively diseases that directly affect their kidneys. Lentils contain purines, which means they can be a detrimental food for individuals suffering from gout or kidney stones. It is also not recommended to eat lentils if you are a person who suffers from chronic diseases, irritable bowel or colitis. Due to its high fiber content. Although lentils are a food that lacks gluten. There are people who may be allergic to lentils or some legumes, such as peas or soy. There is also the possibility that the lentils you buy have been processed in factories that use gluten. Lentils can also become indigestible. To avoid this, it is advisable to leave them soaking in water, in order to eliminate their anti-nutrients. In addition to recommending chewing slowly.
Lentils are an excellent substitute for animal protein.
If you are a person who has an average of knowledge in nutrition and training. You will know that the key in diets to gain muscle mass is the consumption of foods rich in protein. The issue is that today there are people who, for various reasons, prefer not to consume protein from animals. This fact or condition is perfectly valid. So, if you are one of those types of people, you are surely in search of foods that manage to supplement animal protein. And that is where foods like lentils can help you. Well, in approximately 100 grams of lentils they are equivalent to 23 grams of protein. Which makes it an excellent source of it for your diet. Our recommendation is that you consider eating lentils as an alternative to animal protein and thus be able to gain muscle mass. Although of course… You cannot feed yourself with pure lentils, the best thing to do would be to make a list of foods rich in vegetable protein.
