Pulses are a group of dry grains or legumes commonly grown all around the world. Known for their nutritious contents, pulses are a staple in the diets of many cultures including the Indian one. But, what comes under the broad category of pulses? Chana dal, Arhar Dal, Chickpea, Hara Chana, Green gram, split green gram, and more are all commonly consumed pulses by Indians.
Most of these are cooked either as dals or lentils with chillies, spices, tomatoes and onions. Some of them like Rajma and Chana are also made are gravies or curries! Generally, pulses are consumed either with rotis made from atta like aashirvaad atta or steaming hot rice. They also come in instant sweets such as Moong Dal Halwa for a delicious sweet option.
Pulses in general are rich in protein and fibre, while also containing significant amounts of vitamins and minerals such as folate, zinc, iron and more. Along with these nutrients, pulses also contain several important compounds responsible for many health benefits.
Interested in learning more about the health benefits of your pack of organic dal? Here are 5 health benefits of pulses you need to know.
- Good for diabetics: Pulses show a low glycemic index number, which means that consuming pulses will not cause spikes in the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients. Hence pulses are good to consume for diabetics and in fact, can help you from getting diabetes if you are not diabetic yet.
- Filled with antioxidants: Many pulses that have coloured coatings are filled with flavonoids and polyphenols which are strong antioxidants that can fight oxidative stress in the body produced by metabolism.
- Low in fat: Not only are pulses rich in protein, they are also low in fat, making them ideal for people who are watching their weight or looking to add more protein into their diets while avoiding fat. This is one of the main reasons why an Indian balanced meal is incomplete without a dal or a curry made with pulses.
- Improves heart health: Due to their healthy and unique nutrient composition, pulses reduce cholesterol levels and in turn improve heart health. Their low sodium levels make them a healthy food item for the heart too.
- May reduce risks of cancer: Pulses have been found to contain phytochemicals and other compounds like Selenium that have anti-carcinogenic effects and can reduce the risk of cancer. Selenium can also boost cardiovascular health by maintaining blood pressure and fighting inflammation.
Now, did you ever imagine getting these many health benefits from your bowl of dal at lunch? Many studies have found that consuming ½ cup of pulses can fulfil the daily nutrition intake for your body! Overall, pulses have a low glycemic index and contain a plethora of important nutrients, antioxidants and compounds that can boost heart health, and reduce the risk of cancer. The folate present in pulses can help with pregnancy and the production of new cells too. Many also contain potassium and magnesium and low fat making them a great option for a healthy meal.
Looking for organic pulses to get started on your health journey? Choose Aashirvaad Organic Range. It contains a selection of organic pulses along with organic whole wheat atta to nourish and strengthen you and your family. Explore this range online at ITC Store.
