The quick growing, sweet and starchy green little balls called peas can do wonder if you include them in your meals. They are not just tasty but also possess many nutrients that make them a compulsory ingredient in your vegetable diet. People often assume them as an inexpensive green vegetable growing on the peas plant, is an ingredient that is served or used for garnishing in cheap restaurants. But it is not so, taking into account the various nutritious benefits that peas provide, they can be considered as a powerhouse of the nutritional values.
Green peas are also known as ‘Matar’ in Hindi, ‘Batani’ in Telugu, ‘Pattani’ in Tamil, ‘Pacha Pattani’ in Malayalam, ‘Vatana’ in Gujarati, ‘Moator’ in Bengali, and ‘Mattar’ in Marathi. Let us now discuss the health benefits of green peas.
Peas are a low fat and a low calorie food type. Hence, they are mostly included in vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian diets, due to the ease in managing the body weight. Green veggies are already considered as a source of good health, but when talking about peas, they help in managing your weight effectively. Peas are relatively low in calories when compared to cowpeas and beans.
These tiny ingredients in your plate have the capacity to prevent dreadful diseases like stomach cancer. Its protective polyphenol content called coumestrol is known to prevent cancer which is abundant in peas.
High levels of antioxidants in peas prevent several reactions in the body that may cause serious diseases. They are rich sources of many minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc, copper, manganese etc. which enhances the immune system of your body.
Peas are also helpful in anti-aging of the skin. The antioxidants which are present in it such as flavonoids, catechin, epicatechin, carotenoid, alpha carotene etc. are helpful in preventing the aging process of your skin and tends to provide a natural glow to the skin.
Anti-inflammatory properties of peas coupled with the action of antioxidants helps in prevention of wrinkles and osteoporosis. Sometimes inflammation can be very tedious to handle and it is well dealt by the antioxidants present in peas.
Vitamin K present in peas helps you in the prevention of serious diseases like Alzheimer’s and arthritis. In Alzheimer’s afflicted patients, regular consumption of peas limits neuronal damage in the brain. Garden peas are considered to be the best source of vitamin K.
High fiber and protein content in peas makes sugar digestion slower. Peas do not contain any extra sugars like white sugar or chemicals and hence, it enables blood sugar regulation in the body. Pea proteins play a very important role in this action.
Fresh pea pods are considered as an excellent source of folic acid. Folates are B-complex vitamins that are required for DNA synthesis inside the cell. Research studies suggest that adequate amount of folate rich foods in expectant mothers would help in preventing neural tube defects in the newborn babies. So, peas are good for expectant mothers and the health of new born babies.
The high dietary fiber content of peas makes them a good digestion aid. The fiber also improves the metabolism of the body in general by improving digestion.
Peas have adequate amount of anti-oxidant flavonoids like lutein, carotenes, zea-xanthin as well as vitamin-A. Vitamin A is one of the essential nutrients which are required for maintaining the health of mucus membranes, skin and eye-sight.
There is a strong connection between healthy body and healthy skin. Whatever you eat is reflected on your skin. Thus, adequate intake of nutrients, vitamins and minerals is vital for skin health. Some of the ways in which peas can be beneficial for your skin are as follows.
Snow peas are a good source of vitamin C which is involved in the production of collagen, thus helping to keep our skin firm. Being a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C protects the cells from damage caused by free radicals. Thus, eating foods rich in vitamin C such as snow peas enables your skin to fight oxidative damage.
Peas contain skin friendly nutrients such as vitamin B6, vitamin C and folate (folic acid). These nutrients can effectively counter inflammation and free radical damage that rob the skin of its natural stores of collagen and elastin-proteins that keep your skin firm, toned and in bounce back shape.
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