From a very young age in our lives, we are taught that pulses are really good for our health. Be it green gram or ‘rajma’, each pulse from the particular category has its own use and benefits. While some people believe that green gram sprouts are really beneficial, others eat pulses boiled or cooked. But if it was up to me, I would say, “To each their own.”
Pulses are really important when it comes to a person’s diet. Pulses are a low-fat source of protein, with high fibre content and low glycaemic index. It also prevents illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and other diseases. If you’re wondering about the number of vitamins in pulses, it is many in number. It provides important amounts of vitamins and minerals. Some of the key minerals in pulses include iron, potassium, magnesium and zinc. They also are abundant in B vitamins; including folate, thiamine and niacin.
When comparing pulses to other food like whole grains, rice, etc, it has twice the number of proteins than those mentioned here. In most developing countries, pulses are one of the main sources of protein.
The benefits of pulses are:
They contain vitamins and micronutrients, and are incredibly rich in protein, with two-to-four times the protein content of cereal grains and significantly more iron, folate, and zinc, which are crucial for good health and eyesight. Like mentioned before, pulses are one of the healthiest and most nutritious food that can be included in your diet.
- Beneficial for adolescent girls
Pulses can be especially valuable to children who suffer from stunted growth, are underweight and malnourished because of insufficient amounts of a diet largely based on cereals with limited nutrients.
Every dietician recommends people to eat more beans, peas, and lentils. The combination of disease-preventing micronutrients and high protein content of pulses, along with their relatively easy, cheap cultivation, truly merits the term “superfood.”
These are just some of the benefits that pulses can give you. Including a daily dose of pulses in your diet will help you lead a better lifestyle and live longer. From time to time, we are told by our parents to always eat pulses as it will ultimately prove to be beneficial and helpful.