SerpApi.Org
I don’t know about you, but when I think of so-called “superfoods”, I imagine pricier produce like goji berries and spirulina.
However, not only do some longevity experts disagree with the idea of “superfoods”, but humbler offerings like plums, onions and apples bring pretty significant health benefits too.
So, perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that peas are pretty great for us, too.
Here are just four of the health benefits they may bring:
What are the health benefits of peas?
1) They could help to improve your heart health
Peas are technically legumes, a higher consumption of which is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
They’re also high in plant polyphenols like phenolic acids and flavonoids, types of antioxidants. Researchers have described plant polyphenols as the “heart’s best friend” because they seem to help protect the organ against conditions like ischemia, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure and cellular damage.
2) They might help to manage blood sugar
Pulses, including dried peas, are considered a low-glycemic index (GI) food because they have lots of fibre and resistant starch.
These could keep people’s blood sugar steady, partly because they don’t create the glucose “spikes” associated with other carbohydrates. Additionally, fibre slows the digestion of food, further slowing the introduction of any sugars into your bloodstream.
A 2021 systematic review suggested that eating pulses might improve blood sugar levels among people both with and without type 2 diabetes.
3) They could help to keep your eyes healthy
Peas are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, which are responsible for their bright green hue.
These may help to protect a part of the eye called the “macula”, which is responsible for our central sight, and much of our colour and fine detail vision.
4) They may help to protect against dementia
A 2022 paper found that replacing some of our carbohydrate intake with protein seemed to reduce dementia risk.
Small changes go a long way, it seems – for every 5% of calories that came from animal protein instead of carbs, participants saw an 11% lower dementia risk.
And when that 5% swap came from plant protein instead, dementia risk plummeted even further to 26% less.
We know peas are high in plant protein, so it makes sense that Dr Tian-Shin Yeh, the study’s lead author, said: “Beans and legumes had the strongest protective association.
“Peas and lima beans in particular were associated with a 28% lower risk of cognitive decline for every additional three servings per week.”
