Useful properties and harm of lentils for human health

Lentils belong to legumes, their benefits are invaluable for the human body. Most often, there are five types of product that differ in the color of the grains: red, orange, black, brown and green. They help to improve the functioning of all internal organs, especially the digestive and circulatory systems. Lentils are very satisfying due to their vitamin complex content, but they are also low in calories.

Composition and properties

All varieties of lentils are used for prevention and treatment of many diseases. 100 g of the product contains about 150 kcal. At the same time, carbohydrates are about 55%, proteins - 28%, the rest is fats.

Red grains are rich in iron and protein. Soups and cereals are made from them. It is useful for food for blood diseases. The green variety helps to cope with the symptoms of hypertension, ulcers, pyelonephritis, cholecystitis, hepatitis, rheumatism. Salads and snacks are made on its basis. The orange bean variety helps with tuberculosis, bone and muscle injuries.

Useful properties of lentils:

• legumes are not able to accumulate nitrates, they cleanse the body of toxins;
• contains a lot of vegetable protein, which helps to build muscle mass without harm to internal organs;
• normalizes blood counts, including normalizing blood sugar levels;
• saturates the blood with hemoglobin;
• normalizes intestinal peristalsis, eliminates constipation;
• elimination of depression, improvement of mood;
• nutrition and restoration of the skin;
• used in the treatment of urolithiasis;
• lowers cholesterol levels.

During treatment with lentil beans, it is necessary to take into account not only its beneficial properties, but also contraindications. In some cases, they can lead to gastrointestinal upset.

What vitamins are contained in the product: table

Lentils are rich in vitamins and other beneficial ingredients. Their content can be clearly examined from the table.

All components in foods that benefit the body are called nutrients. There are a lot of such components in lentils.

In addition to the trace elements presented in the table, it also contains: aluminum, boron, cobalt, nickel, chromium. Other minerals include: silicon, sodium, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine. Contains nonessential and essential amino acids and saturated fatty acids.

How to choose the right and useful one?

There are many varieties of lentils that differ in color, but they have almost the same beneficial properties.

Red lentils have high levels of iron and potassium in their composition, but in order to get benefits, you need to take into account the harm of the product. Red beans have no shell, so they are absorbed and digested faster. This plant variety is recommended for people with anemia and low hemoglobin. With regular consumption of this product, memory, concentration of attention improves, and the functioning of the nervous system normalizes.

Black beans have high antioxidant properties. Dishes made from these beans prevent vascular and heart diseases, slow down the aging process in the body.

It is impossible to determine which type of legume is healthier. All of them, to one degree or another, have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the whole organism. So, the yellow and green culture is beneficial for those with intestinal problems. These beans contain more plant fibers than other types. It takes a long time to prepare and almost never boiled.

Signs of a good lentil are:

• crumbly structure;
• the beans must be the same size and color;
• in the package, you need to consider the presence of bugs and other pests;
• there should be no foreign particles;
• the grains must be smooth, even, without damage;
• good products have a pleasant nutty smell.

Do not neglect expiration dates. If it has expired, then it is better to throw out the product, as bugs start in the beans, mold appears and bacteria develop.

Benefits of lentils for women

The beneficial properties of lentils for women include:

• preventing breast cancer;
• reducing the risk of tumor formation in the uterus;
• normalization of the work of internal organs during menopause;
• fiber reduces the risk of developing rectal cancer, prevents the development of hemorrhoids;
• relief of the course of premenstrual syndrome.

The antioxidant components contained in legumes are not destroyed even during heat treatment.

Pregnancy advice from doctors

Lentils are beneficial for pregnant women too:

• contributes to the normal development and formation of the fetus;
• enhances immunity;
• reduces the risk of developing anemia;
• helps to avoid drops in blood pressure;
• improves the processes of hematopoiesis.

Folic acid, which is contained in a sufficient amount in the product, prevents defects in the development of the fetus, excludes other disorders at any stage of pregnancy.

The benefits of eating lentil dishes during pregnancy are brought both to the woman herself and to the fetus, but it is imperative to observe the recommended dosage of product consumption per day. Pregnant women are allowed to eat about 50 g of any bean meal per day. You should not eat more, as there may be problems with the digestibility of food. Nausea, constipation, flatulence develop.

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When breastfeeding

The benefits of lentils for the body of a woman and during breastfeeding are noted:

• there is a strengthening of the immunity of mom and baby;
• prevents the development of anemia;
• promotes the normalization of the intestines, improves the baby's stool, prevents constipation, removes harmful substances from the body.

The product has a hypoallergenic composition, therefore it does not cause undesirable reactions.

The benefits of the lentil composition affect not only the body of a nursing woman, but also the condition of the child. The brown variety is especially helpful. These grains reach full maturity and have a wide range of beneficial properties. It boils down much faster during cooking.

For kids. At what age should babies be given?

Lentils are rich in iron, so they improve blood counts and prevent the development of anemia, which is very important in the development of a child of any age.

The product is allowed as the first complementary food for babies, but it can be introduced no earlier than 7.5 months. If the baby has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, then it is not recommended to introduce it earlier than two years.

Start with half a teaspoon. If the child's body has taken the product without any reaction, then the dosage is gradually increased. Bean dishes are allowed to be given to children once every two weeks.

The benefits of lentils for children are explained by the high content of vitamins in the product, but one must also take into account the harm that it can cause to the body. Since the intestines of a small child are not fully formed, legumes often cause increased gas production and other discomfort in the abdomen.

It is better to start complementary foods with the red variety. It contains the least amount of coarse fibers that can irritate the intestinal wall. Beans contain a lot of plant fibers, which are better absorbed by the child's body than meat.

For men

It is known about the benefits of lentils for men:

• the product improves potency and has a positive effect on the quality of sexual intercourse;
• in addition to all the positive effects on the body, the cardiovascular system is restored and strengthened;
• lowers cholesterol and improves myocardial function.

A large number of useful components in beans can strengthen the entire body and normalize the functioning of all internal organs and systems.

A delicious diet for weight loss and reviews about it

Lentils are used during weight loss for several reasons:

• it is a non-nutritive product;
• carbohydrates do not affect blood sugar composition;
• the product is digested for a long time, so there is no feeling of hunger;
• coarse fibers restore bowel function.

For weight loss, it is better to choose green or red lentils, but other plant varieties also have useful properties.

All legumes are rich in protein and plant fiber. These components will allow you to quickly get full, and the feeling of hunger will not come for a long time. Fiber will prevent constipation from developing.

Lentil salad:

• boil 200 g of beans until fully cooked and put in a salad bowl;
• peel and dice the carrots;
• chop celery (2 pieces);
• cut red onions into cubes;
• a clove of garlic is passed through a press;
• survive lemon juice;
• pepper and salt;
• season the salad with olive oil.

In addition to salad, you can cook soups, cook porridge. The diet will allow you to quickly lose weight, while there will be no health problems. The mood does not deteriorate and activity does not disappear.

In sports nutrition for muscle growth in athletes

Lentils are rich in protein and therefore are popular among athletes. Beans will not help you gain weight, as they are low in calories, so they are suitable for athletes for drying.

In sports nutrition for muscle growth, lentils are recommended to be consumed simultaneously with animal proteins (meat, fish, dairy products). Such a menu will provide athletes with additional energy and strength. In addition, the product contains zinc and iron. These trace elements are essential for people involved in sports.

For vegetarians and raw foodists

Lentils are ideal for preparing side dishes. Raw beans are especially beneficial when germinated.They increase immunity and prevent the development of colds. A large number of micro and macro elements helps to maintain the health of vegetarians.

To consume the product raw, lentils must be soaked. The beans are washed and covered with water for 2.5 hours. Then the water is drained and the grains are moved to a dark, warm place. Sprouts should appear in 12-14 hours. Once the sprouts reach 2 cm, they can be eaten.

With the germination of grains, the amount of iron, magnesium, potassium increases. These substances are often lacking in people who have switched to vegetarian food. Lentils can help prevent anemia and stool problems. Sprouted beans can be paired with dried fruit or honey.

When are lentils good for ailments?

Any dietary supplement can be diluted with lentils. The product is useful for people who suffer from various diseases of internal organs and entire systems.

With diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2

Patients with diabetes must adhere to a strict diet. Allowed foods include lentils.

It is best to choose a green legume variety. In addition to vegetable protein, the product contains carbohydrates, which are quickly absorbed by the body and do not affect blood sugar levels.

Lentils prevent the rapid absorption of sugar, regulate blood glucose levels, help accelerate the healing process of damaged tissues, and remove toxins from the body. Even after boiling, all the beneficial properties of the product retain their strength.

Benefits are brought not only by the beans themselves, but also by the leaves of the plant. A decoction is made from them. The leaves are crushed and poured with a glass of boiling water. Leave to infuse for one hour, after which the broth is filtered. It is recommended to take 35 ml before meals three times a day.

The healthiest food for constipation

If you regularly add lentil dishes to the menu, then the problem of constipation goes away. Beans are rich in fiber, which cleanses the intestines of toxins and makes its peristalsis work.

For constipation, the following lentil-based recipe is recommended:

• 60 g of beans are poured into 300 ml of water;
• bring water to a boil and cook for another 20 minutes;
• the finished broth is filtered through cheesecloth.

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It is better to take the broth before meals 3-4 times a day. There are a wide variety of other delicious lentil-based recipes. Beans can be stewed, boiled, added to salads, combined with other cereals.

With liver diseases, cholecystitis

For liver disease, lentils can be beneficial and prevent the exacerbation of the disease. But due to the high content of coarse fibers in liver diseases and cholecystitis, it can be eaten no more than once a week.

It is better to choose a red variety. If there is a heaviness in the abdomen, increased gas formation, nausea, or stool disturbances, then the product should be excluded from the diet.

All components that make up lentils are well absorbed by the body, saturate it with vitamins and minerals, without burdening the liver. For cholecystitis, you should limit or completely eliminate saturated fat. Lentil dishes are great for this.

To make lentil puree soup, pour red beans with water, bring to a boil and add chopped carrots, onions and potatoes. Cook for another 20 minutes. After the vegetables are ready, grind them with a blender.

With gastritis

Lentils have a beneficial effect on the body in case of stomach ailments. Dishes from this product can be eaten only in remission. The product irritates the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and causes disturbances in its functioning. With gastritis with high acidity, lentils are contraindicated.

The components that make up the beans prevent the development of cancer cells in the stomach and intestines, remove toxins and prevent the development of decay and fermentation in the digestive organs.

For gastritis with low acidity, black and green lentils are especially useful. They are used to cook porridge and soups, boiling beans well.

With hypertension

With hypertension, high blood pressure is observed. With this disease, you should carefully monitor your diet. Lentils are high in potassium, so patients with hypertension should definitely include lentils in their diet at least three times a week.

Coarse fiber, which is part of medicinal beans, normalizes cholesterol levels, which is important with high blood pressure.

With hypertension, a decoction of lentil beans helps. You need to take 60 g of beans and cover with water. Then put on fire and cook for 20 minutes. The finished broth is filtered and taken three times a day before meals.

Can she heal wounds and burns?

Any kind of legume is capable of healing damaged tissues, so lentils can be used for burns and open wounds. For this, the beans are boiled well and applied to the affected area.

You can make an ointment using ground lentils and butter. Lentil flour is combined with oil 1: 1 and the resulting mixture is placed in the refrigerator for a day. The finished ointment is applied to the affected area twice a day.

Lentils in face masks

Folic acid and vitamins contained in lentils can improve metabolic processes in the body, help smooth out fine wrinkles, improve skin color, tighten and make it elastic.

For a rejuvenating face mask, grind one glass of green beans in a coffee grinder. The crushed mass is mixed with a glass of sour cream. The resulting mass is distributed on the face. After 20 minutes, the mask is washed off with a cotton swab dipped in tea leaves.

To eliminate oily sheen, a mask of egg white, honey and chopped, boiled lentils is suitable. All ingredients are mixed and applied to the face. After 15 minutes, the mask is washed off with warm water.

A moisturizing mask is prepared according to the following recipe. Warm milk and olive oil are added to the lentil puree. The ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the finished mask is applied to the skin of the face. After 15–20 minutes, the composition is washed off with warm water.

When can it be harmful or useless?

To benefit from lentils and not harm your health, you need to consult your doctor. You can not eat beans with exacerbation of chronic diseases, as well as with gout, urolithiasis, joint pathologies, hemorrhoids.

With pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. At the time of exacerbation of the disease, lentils should not be eaten. Lentils can be introduced into the diet during remission. You can cook porridge or bean soup. The menu is allowed to include such dishes no more than once a week.

For pancreatitis, it is best to choose red lentil variety... Beans of this variety do not have a shell, so they are easier for the body to digest. It doesn't take long to prepare the soup:

• red lentils (100 g) are poured with water and put on fire;
• add dried tomatoes and spices;
• cook for 20 minutes;
• the finished dish is grinded with a blender.

The harm of lentils in pancreatitis is greater than the benefit. Do not abuse the product and is completely excluded during an exacerbation.

With kidney stones

In case of kidney stones, it is not recommended to eat lentils. But it is allowed to prepare a decoction, which is taken 30 minutes before a meal, 50 ml each.

With gout

For a chronic disease like gout, lentils are absolutely contraindicated. Eating it can be harmful to health and aggravate the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms.

Other contraindications

The harm of lentils is clearly manifested in the presence of intestinal problems.The product promotes increased gas formation To avoid this effect, lentil dishes should not be combined with foods rich in carbohydrates (bread, meat, cereals). Contraindications:

• Lentils make the stomach and kidneys work in an enhanced mode, therefore, the product is contraindicated for those who have problems with these organs.
• Do not use the product for joint diseases.
• A contraindication is hemorrhoids.

Even if there are no contraindications to the use of the product, it is important to observe the dosage. Do not overuse lentil dishes, then there will be no problems.