Lentils are an integral part of the daily diet in India. Rich in protein, lentils have an earthy, nutty flavor and come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. From the South Indian staple Tuvar dal to the ‘very light to digest’ Moong dal, the ‘full of power’ Chana dal, the often fermented Urad dal and the ‘vegetarian delight’ Masoor dal; all have their place of honor in Indian cuisine. It is now a scientifically proven fact that eating nutrient-rich lentils can reduce various types of medical problems.
Compared to other legumes like Rajma, Cowpea, Black Beans, etc., lentils have a shorter cooking time and do not need to be soaked. Lentils are therefore very easy to cook and a perfect complement to all meals.
Masoor dal or red lentil is a vegetarian delicacy. Its color and flavor make it one of the tastiest lentils. It is widely used in Ayurveda as it has various medicinal properties. Rich in antioxidants, it is anticancer and good for anemic people. Aside from this roasted powder, it is an excellent facial and body scrub.
Lentil Power:
Lentils come from the vegetable family and are packed with nutrients. Protein-dense lentils have numerous health benefits. Not only are they full of dietary fiber, folate, and iron, but they’re also full of calcium, potassium, zinc, various vitamins, and niacin. Listed below are all the health benefits of lentils that will get you reaching your daily dose of dal.
Lean protein: For vegetarians, lentils are the third leading source of protein after soybeans and hemp. One cup of cooked lentils provides approximately 18 grams of protein. The wonderful thing is that it is a lean protein with no cholesterol or saturated fat. Although they do not contain all the amino acids, combining them with rice or wheat provides the complete range of proteins.
Complex Carbohydrates – Lentils contain a large amount of complex carbohydrates that burn slowly to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Blood Sugar Balances: The presence of soluble fiber and manganese helps stabilize and balance blood sugar levels.
Lowers Blood Pressure: Good news for people with high blood pressure! The potassium, calcium, and manganese present in lentils help lower blood pressure.
Monitor for digestive disorders: Lentils have a large amount of insoluble fiber which is great for reducing digestive disorders like constipation, flatulence, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Lowers Cholesterol: Regular intake of lentils lowers blood and arterial cholesterol, reducing the risk of stroke and keeping your heart healthy.
Fights Obesity – Packed with fiber, protein, and various minerals, lentils act as a bulking agent, keeping hunger at bay. They are very low in calories, which helps with weight control.
Provides Energy: Lentils are packed with iron and give you instant energy to stay active. Eating lentils is a great way to combat fatigue, especially for women.
Fights Cancer: The selenium present in lentils fights inflammation and shrinks tumors. It stimulates the production of cancer-killing cells in the body and helps the liver detoxify the elements that cause cancer. The fibers in lentils also reduce the risk of colon cancer. Regular consumption of lentils also keeps breast cancer at bay.
For a healthy pregnancy: The folic acid in lentils prevents congenital disabilities and provides folic acid to women to help them carry their babies to term.
Lentils are good! Well! Well!
1 cup of cooked lentils provides –
0.90 percent folate
0.49 percent manganese
0.37 percent iron
0 36 percent phosphorus
0.22 percent thiamine
0.21 percent potassium
0.18 percent vitamin B6
Apart from various trace elements such as selenium, riboflavin, niacin, zinc, copper, etc.
Masoor dal or red lentil is a vegetarian delicacy. Its color and flavor make it one of the tastiest lentils. It is widely used in Ayurveda as it has various medicinal properties. Rich in antioxidants, it is anticancer and healthy for anemia. Aside from this roasted masoor dal powder, it makes an excellent face and body scrub.
When shopping for lentils, be sure to buy an organic grow pack to ensure you have all the goodness of lentils without the side effects of harmful pesticides.