What are Green Peas?
The term ”pea” originates from the Latin word “pisum“. Pea plant is botanically an herbaceous annual vine, belonging to the Fabaceae family and commonly referred to as english peas, sweet peas, garden peas, pease, etc. Peas are one of the few members of the legume family that are cooked fresh rather than dried unlike other legumes like including lentils, chickpeas, and beans.
Starchy, and sweet, green peas or garden peas have been cultivated since ancient times for their succulent nutritious green-pods. Peas probably originated in the sub-Himalayan plains of north-west India but are now grown around the world especially the temperate and semi-tropical regions.
All is Fair in Peas and War…against disease:
Green Peas are choc-a-block with A, B-1, B-6, C, and a supersized serving of osteoporosis-fighting K, known for maintaining bone health and blood clotting. High in fiber, low in fat, with no cholesterol, green peas are loaded with vegetable protein, making it a versatile food to be part of any wholesome diet.
TOP 20 HEALTH SECRETS OF GREEN PEAS:
Assists Weight Loss: Peas are low in calories, has zero cholesterol, and rich in nutrients, proteins and fiber. Contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, which makes you feel full for a long time, increasing satiety and making it a perfect diet food. Fiber also aids quick and efficient toxic waste disposal.
Heart Care: Niacin helps reduce production of triglycerides and VLDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Anti-oxidant phytonutrients vitamins A, C, and E support healthy blood vessels. Phytosterols, especially ß-sitosterol, along with vitamin B1 and folate, B2, B3, and B6 reduce amino acid ‘homocysteine’ levels. Lutein and Vitamin K support healthy blood clotting, reduce oxidative stress on body cells, and lower the risk of development and progression of heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis (plaque formation and hardening of arteries).
Digestive Benefits: Peas aids digestion by improving your metabolism levels. The abundance of rich dietary fiber cleanses the digestive tract of toxins and carcinogens, improves bowel health and peristalsis, treats constipation, and lowers the risk of gastrointestinal diseases and colon cancer.
Against Stomach cancer: Peas contain high amounts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, and a health-protective polyphenol, called coumestrol, that decreases the risk of stomach cancer.
For Strong Bones: Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), is a great bone mass building component, that activates non-collagen protein in the bones, promotes osteo-trophic activity in the bone, sustains calcium supplies in the bones, and helps body absorb calcium. Nutrients like Vitamin B1, B6 (pyridoxine), and folic acid help prevent diseases osteoporosis and arthritis.
Protects against Brain Diseases: Iron content in Peas provides instant and critical oxygen supply, triggers neural activity, and prevents neural damage through its anti inflammatory and ant oxidant properties. Cures and delays the onset of diseases like Alzeimer’s.
For Radiant Skin: Antioxidants such as flavonoids, catechin, epicatechin, carotenoid, alpha carotene etc. aid in reversing the aging process of your skin, by reducing free radical damage and oxidative stress of skin cells. Vitamin C, critical for collagen formation, is abundant in peas, providing elasticity and firmness to the skin.
Anti-Depressant: Antioxidants and Folate, present in peas, have a positive impact on mental health, and decreases the risk of melancholic depressive symptoms.
Immunity Booster: Peas are a good source of Vitamin C which protects the cells from harmful effects of free radicals. Peas are also rich sources of many essential minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc, copper, manganese etc. which boost up your body’s immune system.
Anti-Fatigue: Iron and vital vitamins help fend off fatigue, trigger blood cell formation, and thwart the occurrence of anemia. Iron is also very important for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the entire body, energizing the body and brain at the cellular level.
For Fetal Development: Folates are B-complex vitamins required for DNA synthesis inside the cell. Folate rich foods, aid in conception, and also prevention of neural tube and spinal defects in the fetus.
Anti-Oxidant: Peas have flavonoids (catechin and epicatechin), carotenoids (alpha-carotene and beta-carotene), phenolic acids (ferulic and caffeic acid), and polyphenols (coumestrol). Pisumsaponins I and II and pisomosides A and B are anti-inflammatory phytonutrients found almost exclusively in peas. Antioxidant vitamins include vitamin C and vitamin E, and zinc. Another key anti-inflammatory nutrient is omega-3 fat in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
Regulates Blood Sugar: Peas have zero cholesterol, low glycemic index, low fat and sodium, and natural sugar that provide your brain with ready-to-use glucose, without spiking your blood sugar level. The anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory prevent or reverse insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes). High fiber and protein content in peas makes sugar digestion slower. Phytonutrients include coumestrol, pisumsaponins 1 and 11 and pisomosides A and B, supports blood sugar balance.
Potent Energy source: Peas assist in energy production and play an important role in adrenal function with the pantothenic acid they supply. They are rich in B-complex vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6, which play a vital role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats which nourishes and triggers numerous activities in the body.
Eye Care: Lutein, a natural plant pigment found in peas, is concentrated in the retina of the eye, and its antioxidant activity protects you from both cataracts and age related macular degeneration. Vitamin A helps maintain health of mucus membranes which keeps the surface of your eyes healthy.
Vitamins Store: Peas are abundant in vitamin C, B-vitamins, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin K. They also are an excellent source of folic acid, soluble and insoluble fiber, phytosterols like B-sitoserol good for lowering cholesterol, vitamin A, providing resistance against infectious agents, and scavenging harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.
Minerals Store: Cooked peas have more minerals than raw peas. Vital minerals iron, magnesium, and phosphorus support your blood, muscle, bone health, and nourish your nervous system. Zinc, an antioxidant mineral, promotes wound healing.
Anti-Cancer: Vitamin A and C which is a potent natural antioxidant combating against all types of cancers including lung, leukemia, colorectal, pancreatic, and lymphoma. It also significantly lowers the risk of other sex hormone-allied cancers such as prostate, breast, ovarian and cervix.
Clot Buster: A special plant protein named lectin, present in green peas, plays a significant role in dissolving clumps of RBCs that can otherwise turn into fatal clots later.
For Hair: B vitamins such as folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, aid in the creation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to all body cells including those of your scalp and hair follicles, preventing shedding and breakage. Deficiency of Vitamin C, critical in collagen formation, leads to dry, brittle hair.
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