Lentils: benefits and harms to human he alth

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 the content of the vitamin complex, but at the same time they contain few calories.

Composition and properties

All varieties of lentils are used for prevention, as well as for the 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 fat.

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

Useful properties of lentils:

• bean grains 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 normalizes blood sugar levels;
• saturates the blood with hemoglobin;
• normalizes intestinal motility, eliminates constipation;
• eliminate depression, improve mood;
• nutrition and restoration of the skin;
• used in the treatment of urolithiasis;
• reduces cholesterol levels.

During the 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 in the product: table

Lentils are rich in vitamins and other beneficial ingredients. Their content can be visually studied in the table.

Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 1.1 mgVitamin B6 1.0 mg 1.8mg 0.3mg 1.7 mcg 1.5mg 0.03mg 19.0 mg Iron3.3 mg 350.0 mgZinc1.3 mg Selenium Iodine 3.5 mcgFluorine 380, 0 mgFolic acid 100.0 mcg

0.5 mg
0.2mg
	Vitamin PP
	Vitamin E
	Vitamin K
	Vitamin C
	Vitamin A
	Calcium
Magnesium	35.0mg
Potassium
2.8 mg

All components in food 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, cob alt, nickel, chromium. Other minerals include: silicon, sodium, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine. Contains essential and non-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 their beneficial properties are almost the same.

Red lentils have high levels of iron and potassium in their composition, but to get the benefit, you need to consider the harm of the product. Red beans do not have a shell, so they are absorbed and digested faster. This plant variety is recommended for people with anemia and low hemoglobin.Regular consumption of this product improves memory, concentration, and normalizes the functioning of the nervous system.

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

Which variety of legumes is more useful cannot be determined. All of them in one way or another have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the whole organism. So, yellow and green culture is useful for those who have problems with the intestines. There are more plant fibers in these beans than in other types. It takes a long time to cook and hardly boils soft.

Signs of good lentils are:

• friable structure;
• beans must be the same size and color;
• in the package you need to consider the presence of bugs and other pests;
• should be free of foreign particles;
• grains should be smooth, even, without damage;
• good products have a pleasant smell, reminiscent of the aroma of nuts.

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

Benefits of lentils for women

Lentil benefits for women include:

• breast cancer prevention;
• reducing the risk of tumors in the uterus;
• normalization of internal organs during menopause;
• fiber reduces the risk of colon cancer, prevents the development of hemorrhoids;
• relieve the flow of premenstrual syndrome.

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

During pregnancy advice from doctors

Lentils also benefit pregnant women:

• contributes to the normal development and formation of the fetus;
• increases immunity;
• reduces the risk of anemia;
• helps avoid fluctuations in blood pressure;
• improves blood formation processes.

Folic acid, which is contained in sufficient quantities in the product, prevents malformations in the development of the fetus, and excludes other disorders at any stage of pregnancy.

The benefits of eating lentil dishes during pregnancy are brought to both the woman herself and the fetus, but the recommended dosage of product consumption per day must be observed.Pregnant women are allowed to eat about 50 g of any dish from legumes per day. You should not eat more, as there may be problems with the digestibility of food. Nausea, constipation, flatulence develops.

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 mother and baby;
• prevents anemia;
• promotes the normalization of bowel function, improves the baby's stool, prevents constipation, removes harmful substances from the body.

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

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

For children. At what age should I give to babies?

Lentils are rich in iron, so it improves blood counts and prevents 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 foods for babies, but you can enter no earlier than 7.5 months. If the baby has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, then it is not recommended to introduce before two years.

Start with half a teaspoon. If the child's body has taken the product without any reactions, 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 the harm that it can cause to the body must also be taken into account.Since the intestines of a small child are not fully formed, legumes often cause increased gas production and other discomfort in the stomach.

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

For men

Lentil Benefits Known for Men:

• 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;
• reduces cholesterol levels 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.

Delicious diet for weight loss and reviews about it

Lentils are used during weight loss for several reasons:

• this is a non-calorie product;
• carbohydrates do not affect the composition of blood sugar;
• 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 fiber. These components will allow you to quickly get enough, and the feeling of hunger will not come for a long time. Fiber will prevent constipation.

Lentil salad:

• boil 200 g of beans until fully cooked and put in a salad bowl;
• peel and dice carrots;
• grind celery (2 pieces);
• red onion diced;
• a clove of garlic is passed through a press;
• survive lemon juice;
• pepper and s alt;
• dress 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 he alth problems. Mood will not worsen and activity will not disappear.

In sports nutrition for muscle growth in athletes

Lentils are rich in protein, which is why they are popular among athletes. Beans will not help you gain weight, as they contain few 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 necessary for people involved in sports.

For vegetarians and raw foodists

Lentils are perfect for making side dishes. Raw beans are especially useful when sprouted. They increase immunity and prevent the development of colds. A large number of micro and macro elements allows you to maintain the he alth of vegetarians.

To eat raw, lentils should be soaked. The beans are washed and poured with water for 2.5 hours. Then the water is drained, and the grains are moved to a dark, warm place. After 12-14 hours, sprouts should appear. As soon as the sprouts reach 2 cm, they can be eaten.

When grains germinate, the amount of iron, magnesium, and potassium increases. These substances are often lacking in people who have switched to a vegetarian diet. Lentils will prevent the development of anemia and problems with the stool. Sprouted beans can be paired with dried fruit or honey.

When is lentil good for ailments?

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

For type 1 and type 2 diabetes

When diabetic patients must adhere to a strict diet. Allowed foods include lentils.

It is best to choose a green legume variety. The product, in addition to vegetable protein, contains carbohydrates that 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 speed up the healing process of damaged tissues, remove toxins from the body. Even after cooking, all the beneficial properties of the product retain their strength.

Not only the beans themselves are beneficial, but also the leaves of the plant. They make a decoction of them. The leaves are crushed and pour a glass of boiling water. Leave to infuse for one hour, after which the broth is filtered. It is recommended to take 35 ml three times a day before meals.

The he althiest dish 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 peristalsis work.

For constipation, the following recipe based on lentils is recommended:

• 60 g of beans pour 300 ml of water;
• bring water to a boil and cook for another 20 minutes;
• ready broth is filtered through gauze.

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

For liver diseases, cholecystitis

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

Choose the best red variety. If there is heaviness in the abdomen, increased gas formation, nausea, or a broken stool, then the product should be excluded from the diet.

All components that are part of lentils are well absorbed by the body, saturate it with vitamins and minerals without burdening the liver. With cholecystitis, it is worth limiting or completely eliminating saturated fats. Lentil dishes are great for this.

To prepare lentil soup, you need to 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, they are chopped with a blender.

For gastritis

Lentils have a beneficial effect on the body with stomach disease. Dishes from this product can be eaten only in the remission stage. The product irritates the walls of the gastrointestinal tract and causes disturbances in its work. 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.

When gastritis with low acidity, black and green lentils are especially useful. They cook porridges and soups, boiling beans well.

Hypertension

Hypertension causes high blood pressure. With this disease, you should carefully monitor the 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 the 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 pour water. Then put on fire and cook for 20 minutes. Ready broth is filtered and taken three times a day before meals.

Can she heal wounds and burns?

Any type of legume can heal damaged tissue, so lentils can be used for burns and open wounds. To do this, the beans are well boiled and applied to the affected area.

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

Lentil face masks

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

For a rejuvenating face mask, you will need to 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 shine, 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.

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 get the benefits of lentils and not harm your he alth, you need to consult a doctor. Beans should not be eaten during exacerbation of chronic diseases, as well as gout, urolithiasis, joint pathologies, hemorrhoids.

With pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is called 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 soup from legumes. The menu is allowed to include such dishes no more than once a week.

When pancreatitis is best to choose the red variety of lentils. Beans of this variety do not have a shell, so they are more easily absorbed by the body. Soup doesn't take long to make:

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

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

For kidney stones

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

For gout

With such a chronic disease as gout, lentils are absolutely contraindicated. If eaten, it can be harmful to he alth and aggravate the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms.

Other contraindications

The harm of lentils is clearly manifested in the presence of problems with the intestines. The product promotes the increased formation of gases. 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, so for those who have problems with these organs, the product is contraindicated.
• Do not use the product for diseases of the joints.
• Contraindication is hemorrhoids.

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

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