Lentils
Lentil is one of the most popular and most useful legumes. It contains many beneficial nutrients, especially iron. Sometimes lentils are called poor meat, for its very rich composition. Lentil also contains proteins and fiber, and a wide range of vitamins, such as vitamin K, Vitamin C, vitamin E, niacin, choline, riboflavin, vitamin A. It also contains zinc, manganese, potassium, copper, phosphorus, selenium, calcium, vitamin B group, carbohydrates, fats and calories.
It is important to note that lentil, although it contains many important amino acids and nutrients, but lacks some essential amino acids, so it is necessary to eat with other supplements, such as: meat, chicken, fish, soybeans, rice. Lentils also contain high levels of purine, making it harmful for people with high uric acid, people with gout.
Benefits of lentils
- Reduces the level of harmful cholesterol in the blood.
- Maintains the level of natural sugar in the body.
- Protects against constipation.
- Strengthens the heart, maintains healthy blood vessels, and activates blood circulation throughout the body.
- Reduces high blood pressure.
- Strengthens bones and teeth.
- Protects against many cancers, especially prostate cancer.
- Strengthens blood, and raises the rate of hemoglobin production.
- Provides warmth, energy and vitality.
- Cleanses the digestive system and promotes colon health.
- Helps skin, prevents it from drying, and gives it freshness and moisturizing.
- Helps increase muscle mass in the body.
Types of lentils
- Yellow lentils: yellowish, and do not cause many gases in the abdomen.
- Red lentils: ripens quickly when cooking, and the proportion of fiber is low compared to other types of lentils, does not cause the formation of many gases, and color red, which is the richest types of lentils protein.
- Lentils brown (raw): It is the most common lentils, light color, and contains carbohydrates, thiamin, fat, vitamin B6, folic acid and iron higher rates, more than other types of lentils.
- Lentils Orange: Daisy or orange. It contains close proportions of nutrients, such as those found in raw brown lentils, but the fat content is slightly higher.
- Black lentils: Contains double amounts of nutrients, which is very useful for feeding children and pregnant women; because it contains high levels of folic acid, iron.
- Green lentils: Contains a high proportion of fiber, more than other types of lentils, and green color, which is mainly beneficial to the health of the digestive system.