7 Benefits of Eating Lentils

Eating lentils is good for health because it is a food very rich in vitamins and minerals and has only 127 calories in each portion of 100 grams. Although they are most heavily consumed in New Year's Eve, they can be used as a substitute for beans every day throughout the year.

However, the price of lentils varies between 4 and 6 reais in packs of 500 g, which is more expensive than beans and should be avoided by those who have high uric acid, being a food that increases purines, which can cause the gout crises.

Why eat lentils?

Although rich in carbohydrates, lentils can be prepared without added fats, making it a great meal for a slimming diet. One can then conclude that the 7 main benefits of eating lentils include:

1. Helping to lower cholesterol - because they have insoluble fibers that decrease the absorption of fats.
2. Detoxify the body - by regulating the intestine and thereby cleanse the intestines by absorbing the toxins.
3. Decrease Premenstrual Tension - because they contain a substance called lignans, which has an action similar to the female hormones as the estrogens that help decrease the symptoms of PMS.
4. Combat diabetes - because despite having many carbohydrates, they have many fibers and do not make sugar too much blood.
5. Prevent and treat anemia - food very rich in iron, especially recommended for vegetarians with a tendency to develop anemia.
6. Helping to prevent cancer - because in addition to being rich in fibers that lower the risk of colon cancer have antioxidants that protect the cells of the body.
7. Improve bone health - in addition to having calcium, it contains isoflavones that help produce important hormones to strengthen bones.

In addition, lentils are rich in zinc, which helps to strengthen the immune system and are very good for treating anemia because they have too much iron and, in addition, their high amount of fibers improves intestinal transit and relieves constipation and the swelling of the belly.

How to make lentils

The lentils can be made as if the beans are made and, therefore, just cover the lentils with water and let cook for 30 minutes. So to make a quick and nutritious soup just cook the dried lentils along with carrot, celery and onion, for example, and eat soup or along with rice.

There are several types of lentils, but usually all types should be soaked to produce less intestinal gas as well as beans.

Lentils can be green, brown, black, yellow, red and orange, containing different consistencies and getting firmer or softer after cooking. For this reason, orange lentils, such as soft and pasty, are generally used to feed babies, however, it is necessary to soak, so as not to cause constipation or cramping in the baby.

Lentil recipe

A delicious and easy to make recipe with lentils is the hot potato salad and lentils.

Ingredients

• 85 g lentils
• 450 g of new potatoes
• 6 green onions
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Method of preparation

Put the lentils in a pan with boiling water for 20 minutes, remove the lentils from the water and set aside. In another pan put the potatoes in boiling water for 20 minutes, remove and cut in half for a bowl. Add the diced onions and lentils to the potatoes. Finally, add the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Nutritional information of lentil

Lentils are excellent sources of iron but to improve their absorption by the body it is important to eat dessert citrus fruits such as orange or kiwi for example.

Here's how to use lentil the right way to lose weight in: Lentil not fattening, but causes gas.