Description
Green Lentils are a plentiful source of fiber, folic acid, and potassium. These nutrients all support heart health.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), increased fiber intake can reduce levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or bad cholesterol.
Not only does fiber have links to a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, but it might slow the progression of the disease in high risk individuals.
Lentils add essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber to the diet. They also provide protein and are an excellent replacement for meat in meals.
When a person replaces meat in the diet with a high fiber food, such as lentils, they decrease their risk of heart disease.
Studies have found that the potassium, calcium, and magnesium in lentils can decrease blood pressure naturally.
Pregnancy
Lentils provide a large amount of folate.
Folate is critical for preventing neural tube defects in newborns.
This essential vitamin can also reduce the risk of gestational diabetes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that females of childbearing age consume a minimum of 400 micrograms (mcg)of folate or folic acid every day.
Cancer
Green Lentils also provide selenium.
Selenium may decrease the rates that tumors grow. It may also improve a person’s immune response to infection by stimulating the production of T cells. T cells kill disease.
The NIH note that selenium may help reduce rates of colorectal, prostate, lung, bladder, skin, esophageal, and gastric cancers.
The high fiber content in lentils also helps keep the digestive tract healthy, which in turn, prevents constipation and promotes regular bowel movements.
