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Lentil Seeds Should Be A Part Of Your Diet

by Muhammad Nabeel
Published: Last Updated on 223 views
Lentil Seeds Should Be A Part Of Your Diet

Growing up I wasn’t a big fan of lentil seeds but my mum used to make me eat them and now I am grateful to her for it. If you do feel like I used to then you are just in the right place.

Lentils seeds along with different types of rice go pretty well with each other. You can also read about Are Sesame Seeds Gluten-Free?

Lentil Seeds

Lentil (Lens culinaris), is a small annual legume of the legume (Fabaceae) family and its edible seeds. Lentils are grown in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but are rarely grown in the Western Hemisphere. The seeds are mainly used in soups and stews, and in some places, the herb is used as fodder. Lentils are a great source of protein, fiber, B vitamins, iron, and phosphorus.

History of Lentil Seeds

There are many cultivars of this plant, which differ in foliage, flowers, seed size, fluffiness, and color. The seeds have a more or less compacted shape and are white, yellow, orange, brown, green, gray, or dark brown in color. It can also be mottled or mottled. Lentils are one of the oldest cultivated foods, probably domesticated in the Middle East. The lens was found in a Bronze Age pile dwelling at Lake Biel, St. Petersinsel, Switzerland.

The red lentil dish in which the biblical Esau sold his birthright was probably made from Egyptian red lentils. Lentils are grown in a wide variety of varieties in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe along the Mediterranean coast, and further north to Germany, Holland, and France. Dried seeds are sold in stores in Egypt, Syria, and other Middle Eastern countries, and are considered the best food for long journeys.

Physical Properties of Lentil Seeds

This plant is 6 to 18 inches (15 to 45 cm) tall and has many long, upturned branches. The compound leaves are alternate, with 6 pairs of elliptic linear leaflets about 15 mm (0.5 in) long and spike-tipped. From June to early July, 2 to 4 pale blue flowers are borne on the leaf axils. The small pods are broadly oval, slightly distended, and contain two biconvex-shaped seeds about 4–6 mm (0.17–0.24 in) in diameter.

Physical Properties of Lentil Seeds

Leaf Structures

The leaves are about 5 cm (just under 2 inches) long and have 9 to 15 leaflets. The stipules, which are much smaller than the leaflets, occur in pairs on either side of the leaf axis joining the stem. Shortly before flowering, new leaves develop short tendrils at the tips.

Lentil plants usually have two or more lateral branches that branch off from the main stem. Most of the yield is obtained from branches from the upper nodes of the main stem below the first bud node.

Flowers

Lentil flowers are self-pollinated and can be white, purple, or light blue. Early-ripening varieties flower at the 11- or 12-node stage, and late-ripening varieties at the 13- or 14-node stage. The flowers are 2-3 clustered at the base of the upper leaves.
High humidity and high fertility delay flowering or destroy flowers.

Flowers formed after the first week of August may not produce double seeds at harvest. The flower stem produces 1-3 flowers that develop pods.

Pods

Pods are less than 2.5 cm or 1 inch long and usually contain 1 or 2 seeds. Seed pods are less than 1 inch long and contain 1-2 seeds. The seeds are lenticular, and the cotyledons have seed coat colors that vary from clear to light green, brown, grey, mottled, purple, black, yellow, green, or red.

Lentil Seeds

Seed size determines the type of lentil. The Chilean variety is larger than the Persian variety, with seed sizes averaging over 60-70 grams per 1,000 seeds. The Persian type has small seeds, averaging less than 30-40 grams per 1,000 seeds. His two main market classes of lentils are green and red varieties.

Various Types of Lentils

Lentils are often classified by color, from yellow or red to green, brown, or black. Here are some of the most common types of lentils.

Various Types of Lentils

Brown

These are the most commonly eaten seeds. It has an earthy flavor and retains its shape when cooked, making it ideal for stews and soups.

Puy

These come from the Le Puy region of France. They are similar in color but about one-third the size of green lentils and have a tangy flavor.

Green

These can vary in size and are usually a cheaper alternative in recipes calling for puy lentils.

Yellow And Red

These lentils are split and cooked quickly. Great for making dal, it has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor.

Beluga

These are small black lentils that look like caviar. Perfect as a base for warm salads.

Nutritional Information of Lentil Seeds

A 100g serving of green/brown lentils (boiled) provides:

  • 105 kcal/446KJ
  • 8.8g protein
  • 0.7g fat
  • 16.9g carbohydrate
  • 5.1g fiber
  • 3.5mg iron
  • 40mcg selenium
  • 30mcg folate

Health Benefits of Lentil Seeds

If you are wondering what are the health benefits of lentil seeds then keep reading and you will know what I have been talking about.

Lentil Seeds Reduce Risk of Certain Chronic Diseases

Studies show that regular consumption of lentils lowers the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and heart disease. This is because it contains high levels of protective plant compounds called phenols. Lentils are one of the legumes with the highest phenol content. So it’s no surprise that lentils have antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties.

Digestive Support

Lentils are especially high in prebiotic fiber, which aids in digestive function and fuels the beneficial gut bacteria that are so important to your health. A high-fiber diet is associated with many health benefits, including a reduced risk of colon cancer.
Fry the lentil skillet

Heart Health

Lentils are rich in fiber, folic acid, and potassium, which are great for heart health and blood pressure, and cholesterol control. They are also a source of iron and vitamin B1, which help maintain a steady heartbeat.

Helps Control Blood Sugar Levels

Legumes and lentils are no exception, and their low glycemic index (GI) slows the release of the energy they provide into the bloodstream. This improves blood sugar control. Due to its high fiber content, it helps curb appetite.

Lentil Seeds are Plant Protein Sources

Lentils are a rich source of protein and make an excellent substitute for meat or fish. One-third of the calories in lentils come from protein, making lentils the third highest protein content among legumes and nuts. Like other legumes, lentils are low in several essential amino acids, namely methionine, and cysteine. This can be easily improved by combining lentils with grains such as rice and wheat.

FAQs

What are lentil seeds?

Lentil (Lens culinaris), is a small annual legume of the legume (Fabaceae) family and its edible seeds. Lentils are grown in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but are rarely grown in the Western Hemisphere. The seeds are mainly used in soups and stews, and in some places, the herb is used as fodder.

What are lentil seeds good for?

Lentils are rich in fiber, folic acid, and potassium, which are great for heart health and blood pressure, and cholesterol control. They are also a source of iron and vitamin B1, which help maintain a steady heartbeat.

Which is healthier beans and lentils?

Lentils have health benefits that are very similar to beans, but with some benefits: less phytic acid than beans. Phytates reduce the body’s ability to absorb micronutrients. In fact, red lentils can contain 50% less phytic acid than some low-phytic corn, wheat, beans, and soybean varieties.

Conclusion

Now that you know all about lentil seeds it is quite obvious that these must be a part of your diet if they weren’t already.

Also do read some of the few related articles.

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