Sprouted lentils: benefits and harms

Lentils refers to one of the varieties of the legume family. Grown throughout the country. It has gained popularity in European and Asian countries due to its most useful qualities and versatility. The regular use of a valuable product rich in vitamins and minerals has a beneficial effect on the human body and helps to cope with many diseases. In our country, lentils have not yet found the proper demand. However, with the development of culinary recipes and addictions, everything can soon change.

What is lentils?

Legume is an annual herbaceous plant grown for food purposes. Small compact bushes grow up to 30–75 cm. The shape of the leaves is oval, they are located on short petioles. Inflorescences are formed by brushes, the plant blooms with small flowers. Buds of different colors: red, white or pink. In one bud, 1 to 3 small fruits are formed in the form of a flattened rhombus. The edges of the fruit are pointed, the size and color of the beans depends on the variety.

Composition and calorie content

Lentil sprouts have great nutritional value. A diet product is often used in weight loss programs. The composition has a low calorie content - 119 kcal per 100 grams.

Sprouts are rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, which contribute to the normalization of the body. There is much more vitamin C in sprouted lentils than in dry fruits, and this will already have a positive effect on strengthening the body's immunity and resistance to colds. Sprouts contain such important elements as manganese, beta-carotene, copper, phosphorus, potassium, iron and calcium. The product is rich in vitamins B1, B4, B9, B6, vitamin E and more than 20 types of amino acids are also present. Each of the microelements as a whole has a healing effect on humans.

Useful properties of sprouted lentils

General benefit

When lentils sprout, the content of nutrients increases significantly. The amount of antioxidants and fiber is increasing, the content of vitamin C is several times greater. In addition, the product is an excellent prophylactic against viral diseases. Thanks to lentils, the functions of the nervous system come in order. Lentil seeds are indicated for people with diabetes. When using the product, blood sugar levels normalize, cholesterol levels decrease.

Lentils are considered a source of natural protein. Due to its properties, the body does not accumulate toxins and toxins. Sprouted legumes have the following advantages:

1. Complex carbohydrates help relieve stress and fatigue.
2. Promotes rapid regeneration of the skin.
3. Normalizes the genitourinary system.
4. Positive effect on strengthening the scalp.
5. It is indicated for people suffering from low hemoglobin, and with anemia. With the regular use of cereals, there is an increase in the number of red blood cells in the blood.
6. Strengthens the body and enhances protective functions.
7. The methionine present in the composition has a positive effect on the liver, relieves muscle pain.
8. Health professionals recommend consuming sprouted lentils for people with alcoholism, as well as for depression.
9. Nutritionists advise using the culture for obesity and for quick weight loss.

For women

By adding lentil dishes to the menu, you can minimize the risk of developing breast cancer.During menstruation (with regular use of the product), the pain syndrome decreases, and during menopause lentils will become a real medicine that can alleviate a serious condition.

Especially useful is porridge from sprouts to pregnant women. It helps in the normal formation and development of the fetus inside the womb. The content of folic acid in beans will beneficially affect the health of the expectant mother and the development of the baby.

Girls who dream of parting with hateful kilos can include lentils in any, even the most rigorous diet.

For men

Regular use of the plant is indicated for men of all ages. In the male body, the work of reproductive sexual function improves. The maturation of full sperm is faster. Thanks to useful properties that help improve the functioning of the genitourinary system, preventing the formation of kidney stones, legumes delay the premature aging of the body.

Men can use lentil sprouts to get rid of a number of chronic diseases forever. However, when eating lentil dishes, the norm must be observed. It is not recommended to eat a large amount of product.

For kids

By incorporating a variety of lentil dishes into children's diets, the health of the younger generation can be improved.

Croup is a building material of muscle and bone tissue, so necessary for full growth and development. Lentils can be added to salads, soups, as well as prepare individual dishes. The nutritional value of the product will only have a positive effect on the formation of the children's body, which should receive a sufficient amount of trace elements and vitamins.

Germinated Lentils in Medicine

1. It is recommended to introduce into the diet for diseases of blood vessels and heart, pneumonia and bronchitis.
2. Thanks to lentils you can get rid of heart problems. Useful fruits perfectly affect the female body, facilitating the flow of critical days. By strengthening blood vessels, croup will help reduce blood loss.
3. Also, a unique product can protect the body from the appearance of various neoplasms in the chest and uterus, including malignant ones.
4. The protein found in lentil sprouts will be an excellent material for building a child’s body. Bones will develop well and grow in accordance with age.

Germinated Lentils for Weight Loss

Useful low-calorie product is not too common in our country. A source of vegetable protein and fiber can be an indispensable tool in the struggle for harmony. The product has a powerful effect on body fat, easily breaking down and removing them from the body. In order to prepare not only nutritious, but also delicious dishes, you need to know which grade is best to choose for this.

Varieties
Bean cultivars differ in the color of grains. All types are suitable for weight loss, but each has individual characteristics:

1. Green When cooking, retains its shape, but cooks longer than other varieties. Great for preparing diet salads, and also used as a component for vegetable dishes.
2. Brown. It boils well, has a pleasant aftertaste of nuts. It is mainly included in the composition of thick soups or is prepared as an independent dish.
3. Red It boils very quickly, you can not soak it beforehand. Suitable for making cereals, soups and other universal dishes.
4. Black. Small groats of black color resemble fish black caviar. It is used in first courses and as side dishes.

Whatever lentils you choose, it will always be beneficial for losing extra pounds.A large number of necessary trace elements and vitamins will saturate the body and rid it of toxins and toxins. A positive result can be seen already in a short time.

Harm and contraindications

When eating lentils, some contraindications and tips for proper use should be considered. Despite the high fiber content, lentils can harm the stomach. Like all legumes, lentil fruits can cause gas in the intestines. Do not use the product for people suffering from dysbiosis or serious diseases of the stomach.

Doctors do not recommend including lentils on the menu for people with joint diseases. This can only be done after consultation with your doctor. In order to avoid the negative effects of lentils on the body, the norm of the product used should always be observed. Failure to follow precautions can lead to sad consequences.

How to Sprout Lentils at Home

Before sprouting lentils, the following points should be taken into account when purchasing it:

1. When choosing a cereal, you must carefully consider it for the presence of foreign objects. Croup may contain a large amount of litter, small pebbles. Such a product is better not to purchase. Color should be uniform. The package should not contain immature, green grains. Lentils should not have dark spots, mold and rot. You should also examine the grits for the presence of fungal lesions.
2. To soak, choose the right dishes. It should be enameled, clay or glass. When washing cereals, the pop-up fruits must be discarded. If lentils float on the surface, then it is defective or empty, does not have any useful properties.

How to germinate?
Lentils should be poured into a suitable pot or other utensils and pour clean cool water. In this form, cereals should be left for about 8-10 hours. With swelling, the grains increase almost 4 times, so the quantity must be taken with this calculation.

After the set time has passed, the cereals are thoroughly washed and the water drained. Treated clean grains should be covered loosely with a lid or towel and put in a cool dark place for 3 days. During this period, lentils should be washed 2 times a day. After the cereal becomes soft, it is washed for the last time, the water is drained and put in a cold place. Use prepared product should be within 5-7 days.

In order to sprout lentils at home, you can choose another method:

1. Sort the cereals, rinse and pour onto a tray.
2. Moisten grains with clean cool water, cover with wet gauze or cloth from above.
3. Leave the tray for a day, constantly moistening the grain with water.
4. After a day, the lentils are thoroughly washed, irrigated again with water and covered with a cloth.
5. In this form, cereal costs another day. During this time, drying of the product should not be allowed.
6. If sprouts are needed, then lentils are kept wet for another 1-2 days. Store ready sprouted lentils in a glass or enamel bowl in the refrigerator.

Important: the length of the finished sprouts after soaking should not exceed 2 mm. If the sprouted lentils has longer shoots, then it becomes poisonous and will only harm the body.

Norm for use

In order not to harm your body, you need to know the measure in the use of products. Lentils should be eaten in small portions. The permissible daily intake of legumes is 150 grams per day.

The body digests the product for a long time, so it is recommended to eat lentils for breakfast or lunch. Do not eat dishes from this cereal in the evening, especially if you eat up at night.

What to cook from germinated lentils: recipes

Germinated seeds have a pleasant plant taste, somewhat reminiscent of green peas. This makes it possible to use legumes for preparing any salads. Krupa goes well with cereals, with meat. Lentils can be crushed for mashed potatoes, and also used for cooking porridge of the same name. Modern cooking can offer many recipes in which lentils will be not only a storehouse of important vitamins, but also a very tasty product that will complement the taste of any original dish.

Soup

To prepare this simple and satisfying dish you will not need much time and products. In this recipe we need green lentils (0.5 cups), rice, preferably brown, but you can take any (3 tbsp), half onions, half a stick of celery, cauliflower (150 grams) and 1 piece of carrots and potatoes. You can take any seasonings and herbs at your discretion.

Pour water into a suitable container and place it on the included stove. After boiling the water, pour the lentils and rice, and after about 10-15 minutes, add chopped potatoes. Separately, in a pan, fry the chopped vegetables in vegetable oil. At the very end, add half a spoonful of turmeric. After everything is fried, the contents are sent to a container and left to boil for a few more minutes. At the end of cooking, add your favorite spices as desired.

Salad

When creating vegetable salads with lentils, absolutely any vegetable crop is suitable. Such dishes will be a great addition to both the daily diet and the festive table. Nowadays, there is a large list of all kinds of recipes:

1. Vegetables are taken in arbitrary quantities. Cut bell pepper, add lentils with sprouts, fresh herbs from the garden. Mix everything, salt and season with sunflower oil.
2. Lentils are mixed with chopped cucumber and tomato, here you should add any chopped fresh herbs. You can add a radish. To give an original taste in the salad, you can put spices. Add a little salt and any oil.

You can experiment with lentils as you like. Salads are made with the addition of cabbage, eggplant, celery, carrots and other vegetables.

Cutlets

A diet dish is prepared from a minimal set of simple foods. Lentils will need about 400 grams, 1 piece of Bulgarian red pepper and fresh carrots, flax flour - 3 tbsp. spoons, spices and salt to your taste and frying oil.

Lentils must first be sorted out, washed well and sprouted. Pour it into a suitable dish, then put grated carrots and chopped pepper. Lastly, add a little mustard oil, flour, spices and grind it all with a blender. Small patties are formed from the obtained homogeneous mass and fried in a pan.

Interesting Facts About Lentils

A representative of the legume family has been grown since ancient times. The first mention of culture is found in the East and in Egypt even before our era. Useful cereals are mentioned more than once in the Bible. In our country, lentils were cultivated not only for themselves, but also for sale to other countries. To say that this plant is undeservedly forgotten is not worth it. In many restaurants, lentils are often used for cooking various masterpieces. And there is something to respect her for:

1. Lentils, according to the ancient Egyptians, was an aphrodisiac, so it is still found in ancient tombs. In addition, there were references that lentils favorably affect the development of children.
2. The biblical hero Esau sold his birthright to his brother just for a stew of red lentils. The French appreciated this and created a lentil analogue.
3. Valuable groats are rich in various varieties, from which you can always choose what you like.Red, green, white, black coloring of the shell makes the cereal attractive.
4. The environmentally friendly product does not accumulate harmful toxins and wastes. Grown even in dirty regions, cereals will not do any harm to a person.

Legumes are rich in protein, fiber and vitamins. Eating helps to strengthen the immune system and get rid of cholesterol.

Lentils is one of the first crops cultivated in our country. Using this bean culture, a huge number of dishes are prepared. In addition to soups, mashed potatoes, meatballs, salads and side dishes, even sweets are prepared from lentils. For this, dried fruits, cocoa powder and sugar are used. It turns out a very tasty and healthy treat.

The beneficial properties of lentils have been known for a long time - the regular use of cereals will greatly benefit people of any age and gender.

Photo of sprouted lentils