Reasons why you should eat lentils more often

Reasons why you should eat lentils more often

Lentils have a dusty reputation and seem more like grandma's lentil stew than a trendy superfood. But the boring appearance of lentils is deceiving: we reveal why lentils should be on your menu more often!

Lentils are legumes and are harvested, dried, and sometimes peeled when they are overripe. Lentils are an important source of nutrients around the world. With us you can buy dried or canned beans from almost every supermarket. Thanks to the many varieties, they bring variety to the menu. Why it is worthwhile to use lenses more often:

6 reasons why you should eat lentils more often

Lenses are available in black, red, brown, yellow and green. They also differ in terms of taste and cooking time.

1. Vitamins, minerals and trace elements

Lentils provide many vitamins, minerals and trace elements. It's a particularly good source for:

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B3 (niacin),

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B9 (folic acid)

Potassium

magnesium

Phosphorus

iron

Manganese

Nickel

Selenium

Zinc

2. Healthy nutritional values

Lentils come in a variety of varieties. They all have very good nutritional values but differ in their composition.

3. High protein content: beneficial for muscles and tissues

Among plant foods, lentils, like other legumes such as beans or peas, are among the best sources of protein. This makes it a real alternative to meat, fish and dairy products - which is why it is also recommended for vegetarians and vegans. Unlike animal products, plant foods do not have a complete amino acid profile or some amino acids are present in smaller amounts. The body is also less able to use plant protein. But the problem can be solved by combining different vegetable protein sources, for example lentils with different types of grains.

4. Filling fiber makes you feel full and prevents cravings

Put an end to the constant feeling of hunger, the rapid rise and fall of blood sugar, and cravings. In addition to filling protein, lentils also contain plenty of complex carbohydrates and fiber. The latter absorbs a lot of water in the stomach, swells and leads to a feeling of fullness for a longer time. By bloating, fiber also increases pressure in the intestines so that food can be digested more easily.

5. Lenses are good for this shape

Lentils contain up to 350 calories per 100 grams of dry weight, but they are a good food for everyone who wants to monitor their weight or even lose it. About 50 grams of dried lentils are enough for one meal. The protein in lentils prevents muscle loss and satiates it with carbohydrates and fiber.

6. Lentils reduce blood cholesterol and protect the heart

In an eight-week study with 48 overweight or obese people with type 2 diabetes, scientists found that eating 60 grams of lentils daily can lower the level of bad LDL cholesterol. At the same time, the level of good HDL cholesterol increased. The reason for this was the breakdown of the amino acid homocysteine, which increases if there is not enough folic acid. Researchers have suggested that folic acid in lentils lowers this amino acid. Thus the development of heart disease can be prevented in the long term.