Lentil contain a large amount of vegetable protein, which is easily absorbed by the human body, while the content of sulfuric amino acids and tryptophan in lentil is lower than in other legumes. Lentil contains fewer fats than peas and is an excellent source of iron. Cooked lentil per serving contains 90% of the guideline daily amount of folic acid. The lentil grain has a high content of trace elements – calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron; it contains manganese, copper, molybdenum, boron, iodine, cobalt, zinc, fatty acids of the Omega-3 group, Omega-6, and is also a good source of B group vitamins, contains vitamins PP, A, and the sprouting grains contain vitamin C.
According to its nutritional properties, lentil can replace bread, groats and, to a large extent, meat.
Some varieties of lentil, such as plate-shaped lentil, are recommended for patients with diabetes mellitus 2 times a week to reduce blood sugar level. Mashed lentil will help with ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, colitis. Potassium content is good for the heart. Lentil is also an excellent hematopoietic product. Lentil porridge stimulates the metabolism, increases immunity and normalizes the urogenital system. Lentil is considered a warming food, and if it is cooked with spices, its warming effect is greatly increased. Therefore, lentil, especially soup from it, is very suitable for the winter diet of those who live in the North.