Not very known as a food, lentils (Lathyrus pratensis) is a plant very rich in vitamins. It was cultivated in the old days of the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, even the population of the territory of our country was cultivating lentils for food.
Nowadays the seeds of this plant are used especially as food for people suffering from heart diseases, in the case of intellectual effort, but can be used also in the nutrition of mothers who are breastfeeding. Of course lentils is recommended for a healthy vegetarian diet and even may replace very easy meat through its content.
Lentils is rich in mineral salts, calcium, potassium and iron, beta carotene and vitamin B complex. Also contain phyto-estrogens or estrogen which helps to regulate menstrual period and removes unpleasant symptoms caused by menopause. Due to the substances contained in grains, lentils helps restore intestinal flora and reduce cholesterol levels. The complex of vitamin B content of lentils helps to stabilize blood pressure and has an anti – inflammatory effect, being recommended to people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Recent research demonstrates that lentils consumed often reduces the risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer.Even in the daily diet of TB patients is included lentils. Last but not least, poultices with lentil flour helps abscesses and maturation.
