The nutritional properties that you didn't know about lentils

Lentils are a fundamental component of our gastronomy . In fact, it is one of the most consumed legumes in the world. Therefore, we have all had a mother or grandmother who insisted that we eat all the lentils because " they have a lot of iron." However, we are generally not aware of how nutritious this legume actually is. Lentils are actually the seeds of the herbaceous plant Lens culinaris, native to the Middle East. There are many varieties of this legume, and its cultivation has been practiced for thousands and thousands of years. In fact, lentils were already part of the human diet in the Neolithic, with archaeological evidence having been found that demonstrates their consumption 13,000 years ago. Thus, this legume is part of the Founding Crops, that is, it is one of the first eight plant species to be domesticated by man. Lentils, like other legumes , have a high concentration of essential nutrients , their most abundant component being carbohydrates, mainly starch. This particular carbohydrate provides a large amount of energy. This legume also stands out for its high fiber content , a key compound for good intestinal transit and many other processes of food digestion and absorption, as well as for the regulation of blood glucose levels. Lentils also have a good proportion of vegetable proteins, which contribute to muscle formation , while they have a very low lipid content. This last characteristic makes them an ideal food for diets aimed at weight loss or control. In addition, this legume is an important source of vitamins, especially types B1, B5 and B6, but also B2, B3, B9, vitamin C, K and E. Vitamins are essential for numerous physiological processes and their deficiency can lead to different health problems. Given their important contribution in folic acid (vitamin B9), it is highly recommended to consume lentils during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Lentils also provide minerals such as zinc, calcium, copper, molybdenum, selenium, magnesium, potassium and, especially, phosphorus and iron . Zinc has antioxidant functions and participates in fundamental processes such as bone formation and the absorption of vitamin A. For its part, magnesium is an essential micronutrient for the proper functioning of the nervous system. The iron provided by lentils fulfills numerous fundamental physiological processes, prevents anemia and keeps the skin, hair and nails in a healthy state. The rest of the minerals participate in various mechanisms, including the correct functioning of the cardiovascular, endocrine and nervous systems. In addition to the important contribution of nutrients offered by the consumption of lentils, there is some scientific evidence that suggests that this legume can be beneficial against high blood pressure.