Food legumes in Human Nutrition

Abstract

Grain legumes (pulses) are valuable nutritional resources, providing proteins, complex carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, minerals and vitamins for the human diet. They also contain varying concentrations ofnon nutrient phytochemicals with functions which are gaining increasing attention given recent claims with regard to heart disease and cancer prevention. Some of these factors are also described as antinutrient factors, being associated with significant growth inhibition in animal production. Processing is aimed at diminishing or eliminating such factors before they are ingested. However some of these factors are considered to be anticancer agents and may be better preserved. This is being examined in current studies. Pulses are an important option for humans seeking a healthy disease-free lifestyle. They can be presented in ways which will see increasing acceptance of their place in a balanced nutritious diet.