11 Facts About Pulses (Legumes): Explore The Less Known

Pulses (Leumes) (Credit: Pixabay)

Pulses. legumes. Lentils. Beans. Chickpeas. Our diets have included these small but powerful foods for ages. Even the most seasoned foodies may be unaware of numerous facts about pulses, despite their nutritional advantages and abundant availability, thus, it is the ideal moment to learn more about these incredible, nutrient-dense superfoods because February 10ᵗʰ has been declared the International Day of Pulses by the United Nations (UN). Discover the lesser-known benefits that make pulses essential in the fight against world hunger, health issues, and environmental concerns by reading the below 11 amazing facts about them.

1. The Pulse Day Initiative - Celebrating Pulses for Global Good: By designating February 10ᵗʰ as the International Day of Pulses, the United Nations (UN) acknowledged the potential of pulses to address urgent global concerns with the purpose of this day being to increase awareness of the benefits of pulses for improving nutrition and global food security. The program seeks to promote pulses as a nutrient-dense, sustainable, and reasonably priced way to combat hunger, enhance nutrition, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to improving our meals, encouraging pulses also helps with sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and global health.

2. Pulses Help Reduce Global Hunger: Given that about 9% of people on the entire planet are hungry, pulses are particularly important in reducing food insecurity, particularly in developing countries and because they are inexpensive, widely available, and simple to raise, pulses are a vital resource in regions where hunger and lack of nourishment are common. In addition to delivering essential nutrients without the high cost of other protein sources like meat, a well-balanced diet high in pulses includes protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that can help people feel better. Pulses are therefore a crucial part of the fight against world hunger.

3. Pulses and Water Conservation: Pulses stand out as advocates for sustainable farming methods as the universe struggles with water limitation in the sense that pulses require substantially less water to grow than many crops, which demand a lot of it. Actually, dry and semi-arid areas are where pulses are frequently farmed, making water conservation essential not forgetting that they are resistant to drought because of their deep root systems, which enable them to draw water from the soil and in addition to aiding in water conservation, this special water-efficient feature promotes agricultural systems that depend less on crops that require a lot of water.

4. Pulses Are Low in Fat: Do you want to eat healthier and make dietary changes???.....Because they are naturally low in fat, pulses are a great option for anyone trying to keep their diet heart-healthy and balanced with the majority of pulses including unsaturated fatty acids, which are good for the heart, offering a nutrient-dense alternative to processed foods that are heavy in bad fats, supporting general health without adding extra calories. Pulses are a great low-fat protein source that can help you increase your plant-based diet or decrease your intake of fat.

5. Pulses in Space - A Galactic Feast: The fact that pulses have been planted in space may surprise you. Pulses are being explored in space stations as part of continuous study by space agencies to see how they might be generated in space for prolonged adventures with the goal of this study being to better understand how pulses can flourish in settings with few soil and water resources, thus, they are perfect for space missions, where efficiency and sustainability are crucial, because of their high nutritional value and capacity to develop with little assistance. One day, pulses may be able to support astronauts over lengthy journeys, demonstrating their adaptability even in the most trying circumstances.

6. Pulses Are Nitrogen Fixers: The capacity of pulses to fix nitrogen in the soil is among their most amazing environmental advantages where they naturally enrich the soil, in contrast to other crops that need synthetic fertilizers to raise soil nitrogen levels. They possess a special capacity to extract nitrogen from the atmosphere and transform it into a form that plants can utilize which promotes more environmentally friendly and sustainable farming methods by increasing soil fertility and lowering the need for chemical fertilizers. In addition to improving your diet, growing pulses helps the environment by lowering the demand for chemical inputs in agriculture.

7. Pulses Are Low on The Glycemic Index: Pulses are the best option if you are searching for foods that will not raise your blood sugar levels and due to their low glycemic index (GI), pulses (like lentils and chickpeas) release sugar into the bloodstream gradually making them a great option for those with diabetes or anyone wishing to maintain balanced energy levels throughout the day because they assist control blood sugar levels meaning that you can enhance your general health and experience a gradual, continuous energy release by incorporating pulses into your meals.

8. Pulses Have Anti-Cancer Properties: Pulses may help prevent cancer in addition to their many other health advantages in the sense that according to studies, the antioxidants and phytochemicals found in beans, lentils, and other pulses may help prevent colorectal cancer and other cancers with these substances functioning by scavenging the body's free radicals, which can harm cells and cause cancer, so by including pulses in your diet, you may lower your risk of developing cancer in addition to improving your health by consuming vital nutrients.

9. Chickpeas Are The Oldest Pulse: It may surprise you to learn that chickpeas are believed to be the first pulse ever to be cultivated. One of the first crops to be grown, chickpeas have been a component of the human diet for over 7,000 years whereby their lengthy history begins with the ancient Near East and Mediterranean civilizations. Because of their adaptability, high nutritional content, and capacity to flourish in a variety of environments, chickpeas have endured over time by still being a common ingredient in salads, curries, and hummus in kitchens all around the world today.

10. Pulses Are Protein Powerhouses: Pulses are a vital component of vegetarian and vegan diets since they are an excellent source of plant-based protein where also with a protein content of 20–25% by weight, these legumes are high in protein making them a great alternative to animal-based proteins since they are high in protein and offer the whole variety of essential amino acids, hence, pulses are a great way to fuel your body, regardless of whether you are a plant-based eater in need of protein or a meat eater trying to put the pounds back.

11. Pulses Are Edible Seeds of Leguminous Plants: The edible seeds of leguminous plants are the fundamental component of pulses which comprise a broad range of foods, each having a distinct flavour, texture, and nutritional profile, such as beans, lentils, peas, and chickpeas, so whether you are in the mood for a relaxing bowl of black beans, a cool chickpea salad, or an energetic lentil stew, there is something for everyone thanks to the variety of pulses, thus, pulses are a tasty and simple complement to any meal because of their versatility.

Summary: The Impact of Pulses

Pulses are used for much more than just soups and stews or as a side dish. These ordinary seeds are worldwide hunger fighters, environmentalists, and nutritious powerhouses not forgetting that they are a sustainable and adaptable food that has many health advantages, whether you use them in your regular meals or experiment with new recipes with also the advantages of pulses being indisputable, ranging from lowering the risk of cancer to enhancing heart health, fostering soil health, and conserving water, hence, your body, the environment, and future generations will all benefit from embracing these small superfoods in your next meal plan.

It is a good idea to consider how pulses can help create a more sustainable and healthy future as the universe observes the International Day of Pulses. Pulses are one of the most crucial crops for the future of our world because of their low environmental impact, low cost, and high nutritional content, so get to learn and embrace the magic of pulses now to begin enjoying all of their advantages.