The Power of Pulses
Every special day of the year dedicated to healthy and sustainable living deserves the support of Vitaminstore. This includes World Pulses Day, which has been celebrated on 10th February since 2019 to highlight how delicious and healthy pulses are! By bringing this to the public's attention, we are taking another step towards a healthier diet. But that's not all—did you know that pulses are also an environmentally conscious choice? We'll explain why!
What Are Pulses?
Let’s first look at what exactly we mean by pulses and why they are so healthy. If you want pulses on your plate, there is plenty of choice! You can choose from:
- brown/black/white beans
- capuchins
- chickpeas
- kidney beans
- lentils
- peas
- soy (consume soy in moderation and only in fermented form)
- Are a source of fibre, B vitamins, and iron.
- Are rich in plant-based proteins: per 100 grams, they contain between 8 to 18 grams of protein, with the exception of soybeans, which contain 28 grams of protein per 100 grams.
- Contribute to healthy cholesterol levels.
- Have a beneficial effect on blood sugar and insulin levels.
- Are good for the gut microbiome.
- Promote healthy bowel movements.
A Worthy Meat Substitute
You might have guessed this from some of the points mentioned above: pulses are an excellent meat substitute! This is because they contain relatively high amounts of protein compared to other plant-based foods and provide B vitamins and iron. Occasionally having a piece of organic meat is fine, but many people still have cheap, processed (red) meat on their menu daily. Eating too much cheap and processed (red) meat increases the risk of:
- inflammations
- colon cancer
- stroke
- type 2 diabetes
- lung cancer
Pulses as a Sustainable Choice
Using pulses as a meat substitute brings us to the next point: sustainability! Pulses are much more sustainable than meat. For comparison: 15,000 litres of water are needed for 1 kilo of meat, while only 400 litres are needed for 1 kilo of pulses. Moreover, pulses help reduce greenhouse gases because they have the unique ability to capture nitrogen from the air and use it for plant development. Nitrogen is converted into ammonia, which is then used to produce proteins essential for growth. Pulses also benefit other plants by leaving some of the absorbed nitrogen in the soil, allowing them to benefit as well. The use of nitrogen for the growth of pulses brings other advantages:
- Fertiliser is not needed.
- The plants extract fewer nutrients from the soil, keeping it healthy.
Last but not least: cultivating pulses is also very beneficial for the endangered bee population. The flowers of the plants that grow pulses are a rich source of nectar and pollen.
Written by: Noëlle van Seggelen
