IMPORTANT PULSES OF INDIA
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum; Bengal gram; chana, Kan: kadale): Tropical to sub-tropical; cultivated from pre-historical times in the ‘Fertile Crescent’. The genus Cicer comprises 43 species of which 8 are annuals and the rest perennials, most of them found in West Asia and North Africa (Singh et al., 2008). Currently India is the world leader in chickpeas, followed by Pakistan and Turkey. This is a very important cool season pulse in the world after dry beans and peas (FAOSTAT, 2004). It has been cultivated mainly in the Indian subcontinent, West Asia, and North Africa, but recently large acreages have been introduced in the Americas and Australia. The Kabuli types are generally grown in the Mediterranean region including Southern Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa and the Desi types are grown mainly in Ethiopia and Indian subcontinent. The Desi is smaller seeded, angular and darker brown whereas Kabuli is plump seeded with biscuit colour. The genus Cicer has 9 annual and 34 perennial wild species, Today chickpeas are found in 21 different colors and shapes (Hirst, 2016).
Chickpea is very good source of nutrition and widely consumed in India. In the Indian subcontinent, chickpea is used as entire seed or split into dal and ground, which may be used to prepare flour (besan) that is used to prepare different snacks. Seeds can be consumed roasted or boiled. The starch content varies from 41 to 50%; its carbohydrate has a lower digestibility in comparison with other pulses. The protein content varies from 12.4% to 31.5%; fat content is 6%; it is rich in various amino acids except sulfur containing ones. hickpea is rich in nutritionally important unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic and oleic acids. Chickpea is a good source of important vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, folate and the vitamin A precursor β-carotene. It is good source of iron and Ca. Fermentation improves chickpea protein quality, in products like dhokla (Hirdyani, 2014). Numerous kinds of dishes and snacks are prepared in India using chickpea, which plays very important role in Indian food industry.
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan; Redgram; Kan: Togare, Mal, Tam. Tuvara,): Major pulse crop of tropics and subtropics worldwide. Shrubby plant lasting few years, it is a rainfed crop. Most probably originated in India, because of high genetic diversity in the eastern part of the Indian peninsula and spread or introduced into other places. Archaeological finds of its cultivation dating back to 3400 years were discovered in Sanganakallu in Ballari, Tuljapur in Maharashtra and Gopalpur in Orissa (Shirsath et al., 2014). It was introduced into Africa and from there spread to America with slave trade. It is presently grown in all tropical and semi-tropical regions of the world and can be grown either as an annual or as a perennial crop. It is cultivated in 46 million ha worldwide; 82% of the world’s production takes place in India (grown in 3.58 M ha), followed by Myanmar (560,000 ha), Kenya (196,261 ha) etc. Once considered of little significance, pigeonpea is rapidly gaining reputation as a food security crop, income generator and commercial export commodity, in the face of drought and climate change (ICRISAT; Saxena et al., 2010). It can be grown as an intercrop with groundnut, cotton or blackgram. It is a major source of protein for the people of India, most favoured in the split form as dal (18.8% protein in mature seed, 24.6% in dal, 57.6% starch in dal). It is rich in calcium, manganese, crude fiber, fat, trace elements and minerals (Sharma et al., 2009). Green seeds make delicious dishes and can be canned. Its skin and broken seeds are fed to cattle.
Greengram (Vigna radiata, mung; Kan: hesaru, Mal: cheru-payaru ): Origin and first domestication in the Indian sub-continent, because of several wild species (Poehlman, 1991; Pratap et al., 2015). Western Ghats harbor considerable genetic variations (Pratap et al., 2014). Archaeological records suggest that green gram was probably domesticated in two separate centres namely towards northwest Himalayan foothills and in South of India. The South Indian domestication was in dry zones, along with horsegram in the savanna environments and small millets. The wild stocks are still found in these areas. India, Myanmar and Thailand are major producers. It is consumed in the form of split pulse as well as whole pulse. The preparations are easily digestible and considered as complete diet. It is particularly rich in Leucine, Phenylalanine, Lysine, Valine, Isoleucine etc. It is ideal for dryland farming and as an intercrop. The dried seeds have 24% protein, 56.7% carbohydrates, 4% fibre and is rich in minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus. Cooked dal of green gram is a very digestive food for invalid and sick persons (www.aksharakriti.org/magazines/doc.)
Blackgram (Vigna mungo; urad; Kan: uddu; Mal: uzhunnu): Cultivated black gram Vigna mungo var. mungo (L.) Hepper) is believed to have been domesticated in India from its wild progenitor, Vigna mungo var. silvestris (Chandel et al., 1984). Based on archeological evidence found in India domestication of black gram may have occurred about 4,500 years ago. Early finds of black gram were from Gujarat and the Northern Peninsula in India, where wild black gram populations persist (Fuller and Harvey, 2006). Plant is in abundance in cultivation, as weeds and in the wild its relatives are found (Pratap et al., 2015; et al., 2015). Black gram is mainly grown in South and Southeast Asian countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Black gram seeds (whole grain) contain about 21% protein and 65% carbohydrate, 3% fibre. It is easy to digest (Shaheen et al., 2012). It has relatively good drought tolerance, short life cycle (75–90 days).Being a good nitrogen fixer it can be grown in various cropping systems, especially after rice and wheat. India is the largest producer (about 3 Mha), followed by Myanmar (about 1 Mha) and Pakistan (0.5 Mha). Black gram production in Myanmar and Thailand are mainly for exporting seeds to India and Japan (Kaewwongwal et al., 2015).
Lentil (Lens culinaris): It has lens shaped seeds, one or two inside a pod. It is well known as a nutritious food. It was a celebrated pulse in West Asia as per the accounts in the Bible and the Koran. It was in the delicious dishes of Romans. Split lentil or lentil dal is popular in South Asia. India and Turkey are the largest producers of lentil the cultivation of which is widespread in all parts of the world. It is a crop suited for marginal lands. Lentil is a rich source of protein (about 17%) and fibre (7.5%). It is excellent source of molybdenum and folate and very good for phosphorus, copper and manganese and good for several other minerals (whfoods.org). Because of escalating cost of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer, depleting water resources, climate change and an increasingly health conscious society the prospects for lentil cultivation along with cereals is foreseen as brighter (Erskine et al., 2009).
The common bean: (Phaseolus vulgaris) has its oirign in central and south America (Gepts, 1998). It is a mystery that how this crop species was associated with second millennium BC archaeological sites of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka etc. (Pearce and Pearce, 2010). The common bean pod is consumed widely world over as vegetable and seeds as pulse. India is the largest producers of dry beans, while China leads in production of green beans (http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC). The dry bean consumed as Rajmah is low fat food with 22.9% protein and various minerals which constitute 3.2%, and has several vitamins and amino acids. After harvesting beans the plants can be fed to livestock (Duke, 1983). About 28 accessions of the crop have been reported from parts of Jammu and Kashmir alone by Dar et al (2016).
Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus, khesari): This pulse is grown mainly grown in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and many other northern Indian States in. The Government of India had banned sale of khesari dal in 1961 following reports from Madhya Pradesh of a neurological disorder called lathyrism, which causes paralysis of the legs, blamed on presence of a neurotoxin ODAP in this pulse. Despite the ban cultivation continued in the country, the area under it currently stands at 6.5 lakh ha. Exploiting this situation many traders adulterated the much costlier besan (chickpea flour) with the much cheaper flour of khesari, making a neat profit, denying the share to the growers (Fernandes, 2016). Khesari is very tolerant of drought conditions and is being sold at half the price of tur dal (redgram dal) or chickpea, and continued to be favoured by millions of poor in the country. A meeting of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) conducted on 6th November 2015 recommended lifting the ban on khesari dal, following which the cultivation of newly developed varieties like Ratan, Prateek and Mahateara, low in ODAP and drought tolerant are likely to revive in a big way this pulse in India. We have to wait and watch for more confirmation on the khesari dal’s safety, before its wider introduction as a promising pulse of future. The Indian council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has recently released three new varieties of khesari dal, namely Ratan, Prateek and Mahateara, reported as low in the toxin ODAP, linked to lathyrism in humans. The ICAR is trying to popularise these new varieties against the traditional ones with higher amount of this neurotoxin content (The Economic Times Jan 21, 2016).
PULSES FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION AND HUMAN HEALTH
Threats from modern agricultural practices: The impact of modern agriculture on natural resources has become a major global concern because of high external inputs while the resource use efficiency is low, especially for nitrogen. This ultimately results in environmental problems such as soil degradation, eutrophication, pollution of groundwater, and emission of ammonia and greenhouse gases. We have to aim at improving resource-use efficiencies. A range of technologies are available for low input agriculture. Nitrogen plays very important role in critical role in crop productivity. Traditionally manures were mostly the sources of nitrogen. From 1960’s there has been steady application chemical nitrogen fertilizers, which have telling effects on the environment. Irrigation water is also being used in increasing scale causing serious decline of water table in most areas (Evans, 1999; Eickhout et al., 2006). Since the early 1960s, the use of nitrogen fertilizers has grown approximately sevenfold and nowadays 30–80% of nitrogen applied to farmland is lost to surface and ground-waters, and to the atmosphere (Goulding et al., 2008). The release of the powerful greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, from agricultural fields is looming threat on the earth. It destroys stratospheric ozone, which protects the planet from harmful ultraviolet rays. Soil nitrogen is being converted into N₂O at rates faster than normal. Since the year 1750, N₂O levels have risen 20% – from below 270 parts per billion (ppb) to more than 320 ppb. A steep increase began in atmospheric N₂O coinciding with the green revolution from 1960s, due to enormous input of factory made nitrogenous fertilizers (Sanders, 2012).
Pulses for soil health: Pulses, which already cover over 57 million ha of the Earth, because of their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil and themselves using least requirement of external inputs of nitrogenous fertilizers and manures, pulses are promising crops for our sustainable future. Less nitrous oxide is emitted when pulses are used as fertilizer as opposed to chemical fertilizers. While pulses can contribute to increased food security, human health and wealth they can also help mitigate the effects of climate change (Busch, 2016). The legumes, sources of pulses, have nitrogen bacteria associated with their roots; therefore while growing they enrich the soil with nitrates and thereby reduce the need for chemical nitrogenous fertilizers and therefore play key role in improving the environment sustainably. Pigeonpea has strong tap roots piercing even hard soil and therefore referred to as “biological plough”. Good nitrogen fixer it can be grown in degraded soils also (Saxena et al., 2010). Chickpea in rotation with wheat increased soil organic C by 30% and soil N by 38%, benefiting wheat, in spite of removing the shoot residues from the field (Aslam et al., 2003).
Soil nutrient management for pulses: A status paper on pulses, compiled by R.P. Singh (undated publication- Minstry of Agriculture, Government of India), provides crop-wise and season-wise nutrient management advisories for the pulse-growing states/regions. The soil management practices soil management strategies are recommended. Seed-treatment strategies with Rhizobium culture and crop rotations with legumes can reduce nitrogen dependence, while increasing productivity. Rhzobium application is a necessity especially while growing pulses after rice crop, because flooding and soil compaction of paddy field soils destroy most of the N-fixing bacteria which is aerobic. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) is recommended for chickpea growing soil. In a three crop-rotation involving, maize-wheat-greengram, if the previous two crops viz. maize and wheat are given N and P, these need not be added for greengram. Use of Rhizobium’ and ‘PSB’ takes care of ‘N’ as well as reduces 25-30% of phosphorus requirement by making available the initial fixed soil ‘P’ to the plants. Similarly in-situ management of rice straw/residues takes care of Zinc and other micronutrients.
Pulses cultivation to stop straw burning: Each year, crop burning in the region is the start of the annual escalation of pollutant concentrations in the air, leading to massive winter pollution in the region of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi region. Punjab alone burns every year 12 million tonnes of paddy straw, emitting carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide and large amount of particulate matters, which adversely affect human health as well as the environment. Integration of straw and crop residues in the soil, using Rotavator machines can increase soil fertility, which according to O P Rupela, soil microbiologist, could prevent nutrient loss from the soil which is equivalent to US $18 million worth of urea. Composting this residue can convert huge piles of wasted straw into manure. When applied as mulch it helps maintain soil fertility. Crops like pigeonpea and soybean can easily be grown with mulch on surface (Down to Earth, Jan 23, 2013 & 12 October, 2016). Reduction of rice cultivation with much needed pulses, where the country has deficit, can save soils, supply more nourishing food to humans and livestock while enhance soil fertility status substantially and reduce pollution.
More pulses and less meat for future of the world: Industrial agriculture refers to the system of chemically intensive food production developed in the decades after World War II, featuring enormous monocropping farms and animal production facilities. Many scientists view industrial agriculture, as mistaken application of technology to living systems, because of its growing impact on environment, public health, and rural communities. Monoculture farming relies heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Industrial agriculture is associated with livestock production, where the animals, mainly grown for meat, are fed mostly on high calorie food grains. Industrial agriculture is causing damages to the soil, water, and even the climate on an unprecedented scale, depleting soil and leaving it vulnerable to erosion, leaving more global warming emissions and depleting water bodies of oxygen. As weeds and bacteria proliferate, humans use chemical means of controlling them thereby paving the way for rapid evolution of resistant ones. Antibiotic resistant pathogens and super-weeds, resistant to herbicides are on the increase (Union of Concerned Scientists -undated).
Both industrial and traditional non-intensive forms of meat production result in the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Meat production increased and became more affordable leading to its increased consumption. The true costs of industrial agriculture, especially the livestock sector and “cheap meat” is emerging as one of the top two or three most significant contributors posing graver threat to global climate. The raising of livestock results in the emission of methane (CH₄) from enteric fermentation and N₂O from excreted nitrogen, as well as from chemical nitrogenous (N) fertilizers used to produce the feed for the livestock. The total amount of meat produced climbed from 70 million tonnes in 1961 to to 278 million tonnes in 2009, an increase of 300% in 50 years. With a further increase of 65% the global meat consumption is likely to reach 450 million tonnes by 2050. Today the largest share of GHG emissions is not from CO₂ but from two other gases: methane CH₄ and N₂O, mainly of livestock origin. Whereas China’s meat consumption has shot up to about 80 million tonnes in 2009 (161% since 1990) in 2009, India’s hardly exceed 5 million tonnes per annum ((UNEP, 2012)). Globally, about 9 per cent of emissions in the entire agricultural sector consist of CO₂, 35-45 per cent of methane and 45-55 per cent of nitrous oxide (WRI 2005, IPCC 2007)
Pulses and fish from natural sources are the only credible alternative for higher animal meat consumption, which is rising to alarming proportions in the world, unlike the slower increase in India. However, in India, urbanization has been causing a rise in demand for meat products. Despite the fact that per capita meat consumption is least in India (less than 5 kg/head/year, recent years witnessed India’s growth as a great exporter of meat, reported as the world’s second largest exporter of beef. There has been a great rise in the production of livestock products and this is expected to continue in the future. Strong demand for dairy products causes continued expansion of cattle numbers (Devi et al., 2014). India has contributed in the global Livestock Revolution through extraordinary growth in the consumption of milk, eggs, and poultry meat (ibid). The total annual GHG emissions from Indian livestock, in the form of N₂O and CO₄ increased in 2007 compared to the year 2003 with an annual growth rate of 1.52% over this period (Patak, 2012). Curbing the worlds’ huge and increasing appetite for meat is essential to avoid devastating climate change. The global livestock industry produces more GHG emissions than all cars, planes, trains and ships combined. Eating more of pulses along with fruits and vegetables can reduce GHG (The Guardian, 3 Dec. 2014).
PLEA FOR MORE PULSES IN SCHOOL MID-DAY MEAL PROGRAMMES
Multiple micronutrient deficiencies due to poor diets have been a major problem in children. In 2006, Department of Primary Education of Delhi Municipal Corporation revised the Midday Meal programme (MDMP) guidelines so that 20 grams of pulses and about 50 grams of vegetables are included in MDMP. However a study carried out in the same year showed that, among other things, the protein content was too low at 6 to 8 grams only, around one third of the recommended (Nutrition Foundation of India, 2006).
The Ministry of Human Resources Development MHRD, from 1 April 2008 required for MDM programme 20 gms of proteins to be included [MHRD, 2011]. Samples of studies carried out in Ahmadabad shows that the protein content of the MDM provided by Ellis Bridge School was only 2.56 gms and that by Stree Shakti Kitchen mere 1.75 gms. (Stree Shakti, an NGO was serving 473 schools of Ahamadabad). The study found no standardization in the MDM nutrient content. Dal served as a pulse was in “watered down” state (Deodhar et al., 2010).
An evaluation report on mid-day meal programmes in the schools of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, prepared by M S Swaminathan Research Foudation, Chennai (MSSRF, 2011) is a good model for any State Government, to review the prevailing situation and adopt corrective steps for betterment of MDM schemes. The MDM profile sounds well in Puducherry, targeting 19-25 gm protein per MDM (more allotment for the high school section) which was in addition to 100 ml of milk given along with breakfast. An evening milk scheme was also in operation since 2005. It is not clear what amount of pulses was served. In Andhra Pradesh the “standard meal being served was that of rice and watery dal or sambar” with rarely an egg! In many schools serviced by Akshayapatra Foundation, an NGO, rice and sambar were served, hardly and pulses mentioned in the report (MSSRF, 2011). Nevertheless, the NGO’s commitment to help the schools, with only partial assistance from the State is spontaneous and commendable.
In Odisha, Naandi Foundation in partnership with the Government provides notable items for MDM, meals fortified with Iron, Zinc and Folic Acid along with supplements such as boiled egg/seasonal fruit/biscuits/berry (amla) candy/fortified candy once a week. The State is not lucky to have such partnerships everywhere. The items include pulses on regular basis, eggs 4 times a month and with protein component ranging from 12 gms to 20 gms, higher amounts for classes VIII to VIII. The State allotment of pulses per student in Odisha was 30 gms, 15 in Tamil Nadu, 40 in Andhra Pradhesh and 10 in Puducherry. On an average of 20% protein content it works out to 6 gms in Orissa, 3 gms in TN, 8 gm in AP and 2 gms in Puducherry (MSSRF); Puducherry has, however, made up for the deficit by including a more planned menu of different items including milk in the morning and evening. TN tries to make up the deficit providing 3 eggs a week (bananas as substitute for vegetarians). By 2010-11 each child was receiving 15.34 gms of protein per day (MSSRF, 2011). TN anyway has a separate stand in this regard, as the ‘Amma Kitchens’ functioning in the State, make great contribution to alleviate hunger and provide essential nutrients at lowest cost, within the reach of most poor. Thanks to this major step by Late CM, Smt. Jayalalitha, pulses rich idli is available at the cost of Rs.1/- each, with its normal accompaniments. At the minimum of 2 gms protein per idli, for any normal person, child or adult, it should be possible to meet major nutritional deficits in their home food. Further, as regards TN, the MSSRF evaluation report states: “all schools serve hot cooked meals with significant variety. Besides the mandated rice and lentils-based gravy dish (known as sambhar), schools serve vegetables and greens such as carrots, beet root, brinjal, okra, spinach and so on in cooked form. They also serve potatoes form from time to time. Nearly all schools serve three eggs a week or equivalent quantities of fruits.”
As regards Karnataka comparison of nutritional status of boys before and after the introduction of the MDM program reveled of improved nutritional status. Percentage of stunting and grade 3 malnutrition had reduced in all age groups except among 6 years. The inter gender comparison of the heights before and after the MDM programme showed, a greater proportion of girls were stunted before the MDM programme. Post MDM there was reduction in the proportion of stunting and in addition was a reduction in the proportion of children with under-nutrition (Minj et al., 2014). There are also several voluntary organizations providing nutritious foods. No reliable statistics are available on the utilization of pulses. The MDM scheme was launched by the Government of India in 1995. It is the world’s largest school feeding programme reaching out to about 12 crore children in over 12.65 schools in the country. It is mammoth task to run such a scheme in this vast country with high population. As millions of tonnes of food-grains, especially cereals are required it involves enormous responsibilities on the part of the State governments. It is advisable that cereal rich food should be given in combination with pulses in good proportion, so that it would confer good advantages to not only to the children but also will be less taxing on water resources, increases soil fertility, reduce import cost of pulses etc.
Pulses and human health: The IYP 2016, highlights the nutritional benefits of pulses, and recommends a paradigm shift towards including more of this nutritional powerhouse in diets all over the world. Malnutrition pertains to eating too little, or eating an unbalanced diet without right quantity and quality of nutrients. Pulses typically contain at least twice the amount of proteins found in whole grain cereals. They are excellent complementary food for infants and young children. Pulses have good levels of methionine and cysteine and provide high lysine, which most cereals are low in (Fisher, 2016). Because of their richness in essential amino acids consumption of pulses with wheat or rice provides a balance in such amino acids for humans (Erskine et al., 2009). FAO (2016), therefore, recommends incorporation of pulses in diets of children through family diets as well as through school meal programmes. Pulses are ideal for supply of proteins, minerals and vitamins for vegetarians and being high in iron are ideal for women of reproductive age prone to anemia. Pulses have definite role in the prevention and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, coronary conditions, and cancer. Health organizations focused on diabetes, heart disease and cancer promote pulse consumption as part of healthy diets for reducing these chronic diseases (Curran, 2012).
Pulses are rich sources of folates. folate deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia; notable symptoms are weakness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, headache, heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Child-bearing women need more folate the deficiency of which can cause birth defects in infants. Folates have preventive role in Alzheimer’s disease (National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ Folate-Health Profession; Group, 2011). A study of adolescents from high, medium and lower income groups conducted in India revealed that 22.5, 40.4, and 52.2%, respectively from these groups had folate deficiency (Kapil and Bhadoria, 2014). Another study revealed that vegetarians were at higher risk of folate deficiency (Mahajan and Aundhakar, 2015). Pulses, especially dried beans, lentils, split peas and soya products are some of the richest vegetarian sources of folate. Inclusion of moderate quantities of various pulses in the diet can supply folates to meet 25-90% of daily needs. Pigeonpea seeds are attributed with various medicinal properties such as diuretic, relieving headache and vertigo, for hepatitis, as laxative, to arrest bleeding, inhibits sickling of RBC. Leaves also used in various medicines (Saxena et al., 2010).
Pulse-rich diet for combating diabetes: Diabetes is projected to become one of the world's main disablers and killers within the next twenty-five years. India ranks second in the world in the number of diabetics, next only to China, and followed by US. Diabetes is growing alarmingly in India, with more than 65.1 million afflicted, compared to 50.8 million in 2010; the sufferers were just 11.9 million in 1980. Among other measures to combat such situation the doctors stress the need for changing the dietary patterns with more fibre and protein and less of sugar and starches. An adult suffering from diabetes in a low income Indian family, will cost as much as 20% of the family income for his care. In China, a diagnosis of diabetes results in an annual 16.3 percent loss of income for those with the disease (Liu and Zhu 2014). For families with a diabetic child, the expenses for medical care would be up to 35% (Times of India, Nov 19, 2015; Indian Express, April 7, 2016). Nation will have to pay a heavy price with such alarming rise in the number of diabetics if we fail to reduce consumption of starch-rich food for protein rich, mainly the pulses.
Polished rice or white rice, primarily consists of starch, main contributor to dietary glycaemic load for populations that consume rice as a staple food. Glycemic Index –GI- is a relative ranking of carbohydrate in foods according to how they affect blood glucose levels. Carbohydrates with a low GI value (55 or less) are more slowly digested, absorbed and metabolised and cause a lower and slower rise in blood glucose and, therefore in insulin levels. Low GI diets favour weight management by controlling appetite, delaying hunger and regulate insulin production. Faster production of insulin is related to faster aging process (Shaheen et al., 2012). In a comparative rating of GI, if white bread is rated 100 chickpea is only 39 and lentils 42 (http://medicinalfoodnews.com/vol12/pulses), highlighting how dieting patterns in India have to make drastic change towards less cereal to more pulses. Pulse consumption gains significance considering the fact that at least 29% of the population is estimated as vegetarians (Times of India, June 11, 2016) and major share of the rest are infrequent non-vegetarians. In the case of rice eaters of South India brown rice (marginally lower GI than white rice and with more protein, fibre and vitamins; protein content and vitamins are lost in very polished rice) and pulses would be a better combination. If GI of white rice is 70 to 100 (high GI food) whole wheat products and sweet potato are of medium GI (56-69) and legumes and pulses low GI food 55 or less (Global Nutrition Report, 2016).
Pulses help in stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels and are ideal for weight management. Consumption of horse gram seeds can reduce insulin resistance by inhibiting protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1β. Consumption of food items prepared with unprocessed raw horse gram seeds may have more health benefits than their sprouts for hyperglycaemic individuals (Tiwari et al., 2013). Legumes contain considerable amount of starch that resists digestion by amylase. Resistant starch is associated with reduced glycemic response beneficial to diabetic persons. They also have higher ratio of slow digestible starch, favoring lower GI (Bouchenak and Lamri-Senhadji, 2013). Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), a pulse of minor nature (more used as a condiment) is hypoglyacemic agent in animal and human studies. Unique dietary fibres and high saponin content may be the reasons for this property (Zecharia and Alisa, 2002).
Legumes contain a considerable amount of resistant starch, which is any starch that resists to digestion by amylase in the small intestine and progresses to the large intestine for fermentation by the gut bacteria. Resistant starch is associated with reduced glycemic response, which can be beneficial to insulin-resistant individuals and those with diabete
Obesity: The prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Finding effective solutions to reduce obesity is a public health priority. One part of the solution could be to increase consumption of nonoilseed pulses (dry beans, peas, chickpeas, and lentils), because they have nutritional attributes thought to benefit weight control, including slowly digestible carbohydrates, high fiber and protein contents, and moderate energy density, although more dietetic studies are desired in this direction (McCrory et al., 2010).
Cardio-vasular diseases: Abnormal blood concentrations of lipids are one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Dietary fibre richness reduces LDL cholesterol, a risk factor in coronary heart disease. Major health organizations have maintained that the initial and essential approach to the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease is to modify dietary and lifestyle patterns. Dietary pulse intake may have beneficial effects on other cardio-metabolic risk factors, including body weight, blood pressure and glucose control (Vanessa Ha et al., 2014). Legume isoflavonids and soy based products are effective in lowering cholesterol and LDL-C and raise HDL-C, lowering risk of cardiovascular diseases. Altogether, regular consumption of pulse based foods is considered essential for healthy population with low heart disease (Bouchenak and Lamri-Senhadji, 2013). World Health Organization recommends that “all individuals should be encouraged to eat at least 400 g a day of range of fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains and pulses” for prevention of cardiovascular disease (WHO, 2007).
- Neural tube defects in newborn: Vitamins like folates reduces the risks
- Iron deficiency anemia: Pulses when combined with vitamin C improves iron absorption
- Growth and development: Pulses with cereals beneficial
- Anticancer properties: Presence of phytochemicals and antioxidants may contain anticancer properties
- Bone health: Promotes bone health.
- (Ref: FAO, 2016; Hinterthuer, 2016).
Arthritis: Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe that horse gram is to be included in the diet of rheumatic arthritis. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of horse gram has been described by Rajagopal et al (2016).
Micronutrient deficiencies: Pulses are much denser in micronutrients (vitamins and essential trace elements) than rice or wheat, the latter, after milling or polishing, contain very low levels of micronutrients compared to whole legume seeds. The rise in micronutrient deficiencies in human populations could have been the result of this replacement of a traditional pulse-rice-based or pulse-wheat-based diet with rice or wheat alone (Welsch and Graham, 1999). According to ‘USDA nutrient base’ (http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/), blackgram, for instance, is 7 times richer in iron and 2.5 times richer in zinc, compared to brown rice, considered most nutritious of rice; greengram is nearly 4.5 times richer in iron and 3 times richer in zinc in comparison to brown rice. The pulses are richer in manganese, copper, nickel etc. compared to rice or wheat.
|
