Lentil (Lens culinaris) is a vegetable belonging to the Fabaceae family and provides interesting quantities of polyphenols, plant metabolites with antioxidant properties.

Polyphenols have a key role in the prevention of degenerative diseases in man.

In 100 grams of lentils we find various compounds listed with the quantity in milligrams (1) referred to the raw product. The cooked product has about 1/3 less quantity.

Minerals

• Potassium 677-943 mg
• Phosphorus 281-335 mg

Vitamins

• Folates 479-555 mg
• Vitamin A,IU 32-39 mg

Phytosterols

• stigmasterol 20 mg
• campesterol 15 mg
• beta-sitosterol 15-24 mg

Flavonoids

• kaempferol 0,24-13,20 mg
• quercetin 0,03-10,85 mg

and also

Phytic acid 620 mg

The results of this study indicate that aerial parts of lentils may be recommended as a source of bioactive substances.In particular, the green parts of lentils have been shown to contain several acylated flavonoids. with antioxidant and anticoagulant properties (2).

Replacing one-half of available carbohydrates from high-glycemic index foods such as rice and potatoes with lentils significantly attenuates the postprandial blood glucose response in healthy adults; this may contribute to blood glucose lowering (3).

Lentil: studies and insights

Bibliografia_________________________________________________________________

(1) Ganesan K, Xu B. Polyphenol-Rich Lentils and Their Health Promoting Effects. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Nov 10;18(11):2390. doi: 10.3390/ijms18112390.

(2) Żuchowski J, Rolnik A, Adach W, Stochmal A, Olas B. Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Hemostasis by Flavonoids from Lentil Aerial Parts. Molecules. 2021 Jan 18;26(2):497. doi: 10.3390/molecules26020497.

(3) Moravek D, Duncan AM, VanderSluis LB, Turkstra SJ, Rogers EJ, Wilson JM, Hawke A, Ramdath DD. Carbohydrate Replacement of Rice or Potato with Lentils Reduces the Postprandial Glycemic Response in Healthy Adults in an Acute, Randomized, Crossover Trial. J Nutr. 2018 Apr 1;148(4):535-541. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxy018.