Pulses, Healthy, and Sustainable Food Sources for Feeding the Planet

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In addition, pulses are good sources of bioactive components that are not considered as nutrients and typically occur in small quantities (when compared with macronutrients), but otherwise exert beneficial metabolic effects on the human body upon consumption in physiological conditions. These non-nutrient food constituents vary in concentration amongst different pulse species and varieties, and include non-digestible carbohydrates (soluble and insoluble dietary fibres, resistant starches and oligosaccharides) and bioactive phytochemicals, mainly polyphenols and phytosterols ( Table 2). In addition, pulses are good sources of bioactive components that are not considered as nutrients and typically occur in small quantities (when compared with macronutrients), but otherwise exert beneficial metabolic effects on the human body upon consumption in physiological conditions. These non-nutrient food constituents vary in concentration amongst different pulse species and varieties, and include non-digestible carbohydrates (soluble and insoluble dietary fibres, resistant starches and oligosaccharides) and bioactive phytochemicals, mainly polyphenols and phytosterols ( Table 2). In particular, pulse seed coats are rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants, while cotyledons contain phytosterols, effective cholesterol-lowering agents ( Figure 3). Singh  beneficial metabolic effects on the human body upon consumption in physiological conditions. These non-nutrient food constituents vary in concentration amongst different pulse species and varieties, and include non-digestible carbohydrates (soluble and insoluble dietary fibres, resistant starches and oligosaccharides) and bioactive phytochemicals, mainly polyphenols and phytosterols ( Table 2). In particular, pulse seed coats are rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants, while cotyledons contain phytosterols, effective cholesterol-lowering agents ( Figure 3). Singh et al. have recently reviewed the health-promoting effects of pulses [2]. Cyanidin  beneficial metabolic effects on the human body upon consumption in physiological conditions. These non-nutrient food constituents vary in concentration amongst different pulse species and varieties, and include non-digestible carbohydrates (soluble and insoluble dietary fibres, resistant starches and oligosaccharides) and bioactive phytochemicals, mainly polyphenols and phytosterols ( Table 2). In particular, pulse seed coats are rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants, while cotyledons contain phytosterols, effective cholesterol-lowering agents ( Isoflavonoids beneficial metabolic effects on the human body upon consumption in physiological conditions. These non-nutrient food constituents vary in concentration amongst different pulse species and varieties, and include non-digestible carbohydrates (soluble and insoluble dietary fibres, resistant starches and oligosaccharides) and bioactive phytochemicals, mainly polyphenols and phytosterols ( Table 2). In particular, pulse seed coats are rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants, while cotyledons contain phytosterols, effective cholesterol-lowering agents (Figure 3). Singh et al. have recently reviewed the health-promoting effects of pulses [2]. beneficial metabolic effects on the human body upon consumption in physiological conditions. These non-nutrient food constituents vary in concentration amongst different pulse species and varieties, and include non-digestible carbohydrates (soluble and insoluble dietary fibres, resistant starches and oligosaccharides) and bioactive phytochemicals, mainly polyphenols and phytosterols ( Table 2). In particular, pulse seed coats are rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants, while cotyledons contain phytosterols, effective cholesterol-lowering agents (Figure 3). Singh et al. have recently reviewed the health-promoting effects of pulses [2]. In particular, pulse seed coats are rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants, while cotyledons contain phytosterols, effective cholesterol-lowering agents (Figure 3). Singh et al. have recently reviewed the health-promoting effects of pulses [2].
However, in many Western cultures, pulses are underestimated and considered "a poor man's food" or "protein for the poor." In truth, raw pulses also contain anti-nutrients, mainly phytates and tannins, which can reduce the intestinal absorption of metals, such as iron and zinc [3]. Furthermore, some non-digestible carbohydrates found in pulses can cause bloating and flatulence, and, not least, pulses require a much longer cooking time than vegetables. Fortunately, soaking dried pulses in water for 4-8 h as well as sprouting and fermentation reduce their anti-nutrient content, cooking time, and propensity to cause flatulence. Therefore, soaking ensures that pulses can be more easily digested, and their nutrients better absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, when pulses are combined with other foods, particularly grains, their nutritional value is further enhanced. In fact, the proteins of pulses are high in lysine and low in sulfur-containing amino acids, whereas the proteins of cereals are low in lysine but high in sulfur-containing amino acids [4]. Combining them provides a higher protein quality, as it occurs in many traditional dishes: feijoada (black beans and rice) in Brazil, mercimek köftesi (patties made from lentils and bulgur wheat) in Turkey, koshari (lentils and rice) in Egypt, waakye (beans and rice) in Ghana, pasta e fagioli (beans and pasta) in Italy, and kwati (a mixed soup of nine types of sprouted beans) in Nepal, to cite a few. However, in many Western cultures, pulses are underestimated and considered "a poor man's food" or "protein for the poor." In truth, raw pulses also contain anti-nutrients, mainly phytates and tannins, which can reduce the intestinal absorption of metals, such as iron and zinc [3]. Furthermore, some non-digestible carbohydrates found in pulses can cause bloating and flatulence, and, not least, pulses require a much longer cooking time than vegetables. Fortunately, soaking dried pulses in water for 4-8 hours as well as sprouting and fermentation reduce their anti-nutrient content, cooking time, and propensity to cause flatulence. Therefore, soaking ensures that pulses can be more easily digested, and their nutrients better absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, when pulses are combined with other foods, particularly grains, their nutritional value is further enhanced. In fact, the proteins of pulses are high in lysine and low in sulfur-containing amino acids, whereas the proteins of cereals are low in lysine but high in sulfur-containing amino acids [4]. Combining them provides a higher protein quality, as it occurs in many traditional dishes: feijoada (black beans and rice) in Brazil, mercimek köftesi (patties made from lentils and bulgur wheat) in Turkey, koshari (lentils and rice) in Egypt, waakye (beans and rice) in Ghana, pasta e fagioli (beans and pasta) in Italy, and kwati (a mixed soup of nine types of sprouted beans) in Nepal, to cite a few.
Besides their food value, pulses also play an important role in cropping systems. They do not require nitrogen fertilizers because of their nitrogen-fixing properties, thus increasing soil fertility. In addition, these plants are deep rooting and require less water than other crops to grow, which means pulses can tolerate detrimental environmental conditions such as drought and can grow in dry, arid lands where the majority of poor farmers reside and are unable to cultivate other crops. Therefore, these protein-rich plants can be cultivated in marginal areas and serve as a food source for most populations in developing countries, where meat, dairy, and fish are unavailable or too expensive.
In conclusion, pulses play a major role in addressing the future global food security and Besides their food value, pulses also play an important role in cropping systems. They do not require nitrogen fertilizers because of their nitrogen-fixing properties, thus increasing soil fertility. In addition, these plants are deep rooting and require less water than other crops to grow, which means pulses can tolerate detrimental environmental conditions such as drought and can grow in dry, arid lands where the majority of poor farmers reside and are unable to cultivate other crops. Therefore, these protein-rich plants can be cultivated in marginal areas and serve as a food source for most populations in developing countries, where meat, dairy, and fish are unavailable or too expensive.
In conclusion, pulses play a major role in addressing the future global food security and environmental challenges, and the International Year of Pulses will certainly raise the public awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses as a relevant and indispensable component of a balanced and healthy diet.