There is a 2016 nostalgia taking over social media in 2026. People are posting a decade’s worth of pictures, all reflecting growth. It is also a reminiscing of a simpler era, pre-COVID. A time when social media and AI had not taken over. Good times.
In 2016, the United Nations declared 2016 as the International Year of Pulses. Since then, pulses have become a popular food group across the globe. With dieticians and fitness experts urging people to incorporate the food into their diets.
Pulses belong to the legume family and have been sustaining human civilisation for thousands of years. This food group consists of 12 crops, including lentils, dry beans, and chickpeas, among others. All are packed with a variety of health benefits.
Let us explore why this food group deserves a whole year of dedication and recognition.
Helps With Weight Loss.
Pulses are rich in fibre and protein. Therefore, a serving of lentils or any other type of pulses will leave you feeling satiated and full. As a result, this makes you snack less throughout the day. Additionally, it plays a tremendous role in weight loss.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, consuming pulses increases the burning of carbohydrates and fat in the body. This is because pulses contain arginine, a specific type of amino acid that helps in digestion. Add in the low glycemic index aspect, and you have the ideal food for weight loss.
Friendly With the Gut.
If you have experienced constipation, you know you would not wish it on your worst enemy. Pulses are rich in fibre, thus promoting stool regularity and preventing constipation. Just like eating your kales and spinach, the fibre is a natural laxative that will keep your tummy smiling, ensuring that there is not a backlog of inventory!
Has Anti-Aging Advantages.
Pulses are a rich source of vitamin B folate and have high antioxidant levels. With these capabilities, they help repair damaged cells in the body. The folate also works to produce and maintain new cells, which comes in handy during periods of growth like infancy and pregnancy. Therefore, the more you consume chickpeas and lentils, the more your skin will rejuvenate, leaving people guessing whether you found the fountain of youth!
Helps Manage Diabetes.
Another benefit of this low-glycemic index food is helping prevent and manage diabetes. Pulses have a minimal effect on your blood sugar and only cause a slight rise, unlike carbohydrates, which make the blood sugar spike. When you add more low-glycemic foods into your diet, you will be effectively lowering your risk of diabetes. Moreover, if you already have diabetes, pulses make it easier to manage your blood sugar.
Keeps Exhaustion at Bay.
Do you frequently experience exhaustion? Does the fatigue get you down? Try increasing your pulse intake. The fact that they have a low glycemic index enables a slow and steady release of glucose, which is ideal, unlike carbohydrates, which cause a sudden surge of energy, which inevitably leads to crashing, leaving you feeling even more lethargic than before.
They Are Heart-Friendly.
In the fight against cardiovascular disease, including more pulses in your diet can help lower your risk level. Research shows that consuming pulses every day can lower LDL cholesterol levels by 5% due to the high fibre in the pulses. If you mix these with more potassium-rich foods, you lower your blood pressure and ultimately fight the effects of sodium on your body.
Veggie-Lifestyle Supporter.
Whether you occasionally take a break from a carnivorous lifestyle or you are entirely in the vegetarian route, pulses are a good addition to get your protein fix. In addition, they are more rewarding than animal proteins.
However, except for soybeans, pulses do not offer all the essential amino acids that your body requires, so ensure you get a good, balanced diet by adding other grains and veggies into your diet. A pulse-rich diet is also a gluten-free diet, isn’t that great? ♥
Mourine Warui is a media and communication expert and seasoned writer. Her goal is to empower and offer solutions to everyday girl’s problems while provoking candid and authentic conversations. Other goals are to provide inspiration and entertainment to readers through creative, thought-provoking and edgy stories.
