[LifeStyle] 6 curiosities about legumes that will make you love them

[#Steeven.™]

Legumes are part of our traditional Mediterranean diet and with the new gastronomic trends, based on healthy, sustainable ingredients, kilometer zero and with a great contribution of nutrients, they have become an essential product for many homes.

In fact, did you know that stewed lentils was one of the most sought-after recipes by the Spanish in 2020? This was recently revealed by Thermomix. Furthermore, it is in the north of Spain where they are most successful, with Cantabria, the Basque Country, Catalonia and Aragon being the communities with the highest consumption of legumes. In this way, Thermomix, gives them the place they deserve and collects 6 curiosities that will make you love (even more!) A basic of Spanish cuisine.

1. They are rich in fiber. This improves our intestinal health, reduces blood cholesterol and, therefore, the risk of cardiovascular disease. The traditional legumes that contain the most fiber are black beans with up to 25%, followed by white beans with 23%, chickpeas with 15% and lentils with 11%.

2. They are the perfect ally for diets. This is because they are low in fat and provide great satiety when ingested.

3. They are suitable (and beneficial!) For all `audiences *. They do not contain gluten, so celiacs can enjoy them with complete peace of mind. In addition, they are especially recommended for diabetics, as they help control blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as for pregnant women, as they are a source of folate -type of vitamin B-, which helps prevent abnormalities in babies During pregnancy.

4. They are a source of innumerable minerals. They provide us with calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, magnesium, iodine and potassium (as much as bananas!). All these minerals are essential for the proper functioning of the neuromuscular system.

5. They are the food of plant origin with the highest protein value. In this sense, soy is the legume with the highest protein content, whose quality is very similar to meat.

6. They are beneficial for the ecosystem and agricultural production. In addition to all their health benefits, legumes also contribute to sustainability, allowing to improve soil fertility and the productivity of agricultural land. They also have a low water footprint compared to other sources of protein of animal origin.

As a curious fact, Spain is one of the western countries where legumes are consumed the most. According to the latest data, in 2019 consumption increased by 4.6%, standing at 3.35 kg per person.