Richest Dried Legumes, Red Lentils and its Benefits

by Abbas Jahangir · November 27, 2021

Especially the red of the lentil type, which is from the legumes family, is one of the most consumed legumes in Turkish cuisine with its meatballs, salad, soup and appetizers. The easiest and most delicious recipes that come to mind, whether for special occasions or for casual occasions, are made with red lentil varieties. Thanks to red lentils, which give a feeling of fullness in general, the need for multiple menus can be eliminated.

Where do Do Red Lentils grow?

While red lentil cultivation, whose homeland is Asia, is mostly available in countries such as Canada, India, USA, Austria, it is known that it is mostly grown in Southeastern Anatolia and Central Anatolia regions in Turkey.

It is also among the important information that lentils, which can be harvested in summer and winter, are more durable than other legumes. The highest yield for lentil planting, where March in the summer season and October in the winter season is ideal, is obtained from the regions where the summers are hot and dry and the winters are mild.

For lentils, which generally love calcareous soils, the emergence of other grasses in the soil where it is planted reduces the yield. Because lentils, which have a thin and delicate root structure, need to be cleaned of weeds around them in order to complete the heavy development.

What is the Nutritional Value of Red Lentils? How Many Calories?

100 grams of lentils, which can keep the stomach full for a long time and are known for their rich fiber content, contain 350 kcal of energy, 63 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fat, 25 grams of protein and 8.5 grams of water. Lentils, which help keep the stomach full for a long time, have a low glycemic index.

Thanks to lentils, which is a natural solution to constipation and indigestion problems, the intestines work more healthily. Because it contains high B vitamins and is a high protein source, it is used in the diet list of athletes, especially since red lentil soup is sufficient in terms of calories.

What Are the Benefits of Red Lentils?

Red lentils, which is one of the most used legumes in our country, can be found in almost every table since it is very reasonable in terms of price. The benefits of lentils, which are consumed fondly from children to the elderly, are as follows:

Lentils, which have high nutritional value, are an important source for brain and body development.
It strengthens the immune system and provides protection against diseases.
In general, red lentil vitamins have breast milk enhancing effects.
It facilitates digestion by increasing bowel movements.
It is a useful energy source for those who work in heavy jobs.
Thanks to its blood sugar-lowering effects, it benefits diabetic patients.
Since it is a high source of potassium, it has antihypertensive effects.
It increases blood flow by balancing cholesterol.
It is good for cardiovascular diseases.
As with all red foods, it makes the body resistant to cancer.
It keeps you full for a long time as it is nutritious.
Since it provides folic acid, it is recommended to be consumed regularly against anemia problems.
It strengthens the nervous system.
It accelerates blood production by providing iron to the person for fatigue.
It helps you have a tighter body because it is a low-fat, fibrous food.

Are Red Lentils Weakening?

It is possible to lose weight thanks to red lentil soup, which activates the metabolism with a detox effect in regular consumption. Especially, red lentils act as an edema reliever due to the opportunities it provides to the body in terms of nutritional value and helps you to apply for a healthier diet program by providing weight loss.

Thanks to the lentils to be added to the diet program, the desire to snack on junk food after dinner will decrease, so it may become easier to lose weight. Moreover, the fact that people who are prone to gaining weight can choose red lentil flour instead of wheat flour and eat pancakes and pastries, which is suitable for diet in terms of both nutritional value and calories.

Red Lentils Side Effects

Before you think about whether red lentils cause gas because it contains high fiber, you should know that you need to cook it under appropriate cooking conditions. Red lentils, which are hard to digest food, can make the gas problem permanent in continuous consumption. From this point of view, if you are wondering if “red lentils touch the stomach”, unfortunately, it is seen that they touch as much as all legumes that were not kept in water the night before. However, since the carminative substance will be active in soups made with lentils that have been degassed and left to rest by soaking in water with lemon or vinegar the night before, it may occur with its reducing effect on complaints such as bloating and gas.

100 grams of lentils contain 4 grams of fiber. Considering that women need 25 grams of fiber and men need 38 grams of fiber, it is beneficial to eat lentils that will not go beyond the daily requirement, as it will work the digestive system. The answer to the question “Does red lentil soup increase sugar”, which is on the list of many diabetes patients, is that it will not harm unless it is consumed excessively. Especially if you are asking whether red lentils cause allergies, which is among the types of baby soups with the supplementary food period, you should definitely pay attention. Because red lentil sensitivity in babies is a common condition.

The answer to the question “Do red lentils contain gluten”, which mostly celiac patients will wonder, is just like in all other legumes. Since legumes do not contain gluten, they are included in the diets of celiac patients.