Facts on Pulses

Pulses are good for you, beneficial to farmers’ livelihoods and have a positive impact on the environment. It is clear that even though dried beans, lentils and peas have been around for centuries, they will play a fundamental role in our sustainable future.Lentils are a great meat substitute as they are an excellent source of protein and also low in fat. Lentils also contain folate, iron, phosphorous, potassium, and fiber. Legumes are a great meat substitute. Beans are rich in complex carbohydrates, protein, and dietary fiber. They also contain calcium, iron, pottasium, and zinc.

• Beans have been an important part of the human diet for thousands of years and are one of the earliest food crops cultivated.
• Dry beans can be eaten raw, sprouted or cooked, ground into flour, curdled into tofu, fermented into soya sauce, tempi and miso. They are excellent in chilis, soups and salads.
• Beans are a good source of Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium, and a very good source of Protein, Vitamin C, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Copper and Manganese.
• Research shows that beans help to reduce cholesterol while providing excellent nutrition. When combined with nuts, seeds or grains, they form a complete high-fiber vegetable protein.