February 10 was defined by the United Nations as World Pulses Day. Discover some of the benefits of these foods
Beans are perhaps the most famous among the pulses on the Brazilian menu. But this food group has other members which also contribute to a healthy diet, especially for school-aged children. Chickpeas, lentils, peas and fava beans are examples of other legumes that can be turned into delicious, as well as nutritious dishes.
The World Food Programme, through its school feeding programs, guides the inclusion of pulses in the menus served to students, in combination with grains, vegetables, proteins, leaves and minerals. Find out the benefits of this food group below:
Nutritional value
They are rich in nutrients and have a high protein content, which makes them particularly relevant in places where meat and dairy are not available or economically accessible. They are also rich in soluble fibre and fat, so they are recommended by health organizations for the treatment of diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions. They can also help combat obesity.
Food security
For farmers, pulses are an important crop because they can consume them and sell them. This helps maintain food security in their home, while also creating food economic stability.
Environmental benefits
The nitrogen-fixing properties of pulses improve soil fertility, which increases and extends the productivity of the land. By using pulses for intercropping and cover crops, farmers can also promote farm biodiversity and soil biodiversity, while keeping harmful pests and diseases at bay.
Pulses can also contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing dependence on the synthetic fertilizers used to introduce nitrogen artificially into the soil. Greenhouse gases are released during the manufacturing and application of these fertilizers, and their overuse can be detrimental to the environment.
