Every February 10, the World Pulses Day, after the declaration of the ONU in December 2018. Already in 2016 It was the year of legumes for their contribution to world nutrition and a balanced diet. We tell you about some of its important points.
World Pulses Day: its history
After cereals, legumes were the first cultivated plants by man. In this way, more than ten thousand years ago they participated in the birth of agriculture. Since that time they have participated very actively in world nutrition. Are protagonists of many dishes.
The vegetables best known in our kitchen are the chickpeas, peas, broad beans, beans (beans), chickpeas, lentils, soy, etc.
Now with this World Pulses Day It is intended to honor the essential food of a healthy diet.
His properties
The vegetables have a great contribution from protein that varies depending on the type of legume between 22% and 38%. This contribution of vegetal protein makes them very important in Vegetarian diets who have the queen as soybean with the highest contribution of that nutrient. Also soy, unlike the other legumes, has a contribution of essential amino acids complete.
In the case of the rest of vegetables, with a balanced diet and the contribution of cereals, the lack of these amino acids is covered. The contribution of fat or lipids is low except in the case of peanuts
They are very rich in carbohydrates and very rich in fiber. Diets with vegetables are highly recommended to improve cholesterol levels. For all this they protect us from cardiovascular diseases. These characteristics make them highly recommended in our meals.
They are also rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. They are a very important food for people with celiac disease, since they are gluten free.
In the agriculture
It is very important to know the importance of vegetables in the agriculture. Legumes (the plants that produce legumes) have a special characteristic. Well fix nitrogen in the soil in a symbiosis with soil microorganisms. This allows that land to be enriched and help later crops. On the other hand, they are very drought resistant plants that contribute very little C02 and with a low production cost.
So all of this should encourage us to consume more vegetables by adding them in our diet. Many times, in a fun and tasty way with the thousand and one existing recipes.
