Rahul, being a foodie, loves relishing different delicacies. Out of all the different food items, he loves eating peas cutlets. Given his regular consumption of peas, he sometimes feels anxious that he might gain weight. However, one day he read an article online that declared peas as a superfood that helps people in losing weight. Hence out of curiosity, he decided to seek advice from a nutritionist to understand the health benefits of peas and how they can help in weight loss.
Let’s take a look at what he learned.
Health Advantages of Consuming Peas
Being a nutritionally rich food, peas offer several health benefits:
- Assist in Diabetes Management and Prevention
Due to rich fiber content, peas hold a comparatively low GI (glycemic index), which makes them an excellent option for low-GI nutrition. The GI is a standard that asserts how fast your blood sugar level increases after consuming a particular food.
Fiber reduces the rate at which carbohydrates get digested and adds to a gradual increase in blood sugar levels rather than a sudden hike. Apart from this, the high micronutrient content of green peas also helps in better diabetes management and prevention. Minerals like magnesium and vitamins like A, B, C, and K, found in peas, help you reduce the risk of diabetes.
- Foster Better Digestion
Another advantage of the high fiber content of peas is that they can enhance your digestion. Fiber nourishes the beneficial bacteria in your gut, which sustains the wholesome microorganism equilibrium in your intestines. This, in turn, might reduce the risk of some common gastrointestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer, and incendiary bowel syndrome.
- Improves Cardiovascular Health
Peas contain several heart-healthy minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which promote better cardiovascular well-being. Diets that incorporate these nutrients may limit hypertension, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. Moreover, the dietary fiber in peas likewise improves your heart wellness by reducing the acute LDL cholesterol levels, which, if raised, add to the risk of cardiovascular ailments.
- Decrease the Risk of Cancer
Constant consumption of peas may reduce the odds of cancer due to their anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant content. Green peas additionally comprise plant composites like saponins, which hold positive outcomes on cancer. Moreover, Vitamin K, which is plentiful in peas, is also recognized for its anti-cancer impact and the capacity to prevent prostate cancer potentially.
- Excellent source of protein
Peas serve as an outstanding vegan protein source. Vegetarians usually encounter a lack of choice when speaking of protein sources. A hundred grams of these green legumes hold approximately five grams of protein, making it an invaluable source of plant-based protein.
Is Peas Good for Weight Loss?
Now that you understand the health benefits of green peas, you can readily answer questions such as “Is peas good weight loss?”, “How can peas assist in weight loss?” and “Should you consume green peas?
Peas are rich in minerals, vitamins, and macronutrients like complex carbohydrates, which are excellent energy sources and assist in weight loss.
Also, the fiber found in green peas presents a wide variety of health advantages while increasing the sense of satiety. Another element that adds to your feeling of fullness present in green peas is high protein. Consumption of protein incites the discharge of hormones that decrease appetite. Moreover, a diet comprising peas leads to higher weight loss when compared to people who do not consume peas.
In addition, what makes peas perfect for weight loss is that they are pretty low in fat content. You can eat dried peas as wholesome snacks or supplement frozen peas as a delicious and satisfying addition to your everyday salad. It does not matter how you eat them since they are abundant in protein, peas act as a nutritious option to your in-between meal meals.
Also, since peas are comparatively low in calories and stuffed with fiber and protein, they are a transcendent alternative for many weight-loss foods. You should contemplate adding peas to your menu if you adhere to a low-glycemic diet, low-fat diet, intermittent fasting, and especially vegan and vegetarian diets.
However, even when peas are with protein, they usually lack the amino acid methionine, which implies that if you follow a vegan, plant-based diet, you need to pair peas with other protein sources such as quinoa, tofu, and nuts.
The Bottom Line
Fitness enthusiasts in modern times constantly remain on the lookout for foods that help them shed those extra pounds. This is why they keep looking up – Is peas good for weight loss? Hence, to sum up, we can say that peas, being low in calories and rich in protein, minerals, vitamins, and fiber, is good for weight loss.
Also, the high fiber and protein content present in peas makes you feel full for a long time and keeps nutrient deficiencies at bay to assist in losing weight. They likewise extend potential health advantages such as management and prevention of diabetes, lowered risk of cancer, and improved cardiovascular and digestive well-being.
Nevertheless, nothing is perfect, and green peas are not an exception. Two limitations of peas comprise their antinutrient content and potential GI distress. You can decrease the adverse effect of bloating and antinutrients by preparing them in a particular way and eating them in moderate portions.
