Peas: chemical composition, nutritional value, vitamins, benefits and harms

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Peas are the most ancient member of the legume family. People have known about this culture since ancient times. The places of origin of peas are considered to be India, Ancient China, as well as some countries of the Mediterranean. Throughout Europe and the New World, it spread precisely from Asian lands. The Chinese have long revered peas as a symbol of fertility and material we alth.

Description of the plant

The stem is weak, thin and curly. The leaves of the plant look like feathers and end with antennae. It is them that peas use to find support for growth. The plant has fairly large stipules. Its flowers are moth-like. A special feature of peas is a three-ribbed column, which has a bunch of fine hairs at the top. The fruits of the plant are flat beans, consisting of two valves. The pea pod itself has a saber shape and has from 3 to 10 peas. They may be round or slightly angular in shape. Due to the presence of a huge amount of nutrients and vitamins, as well as a pleasant taste, peas are actively used in cooking. It is also used in the manufacture of biological plastics.

Chemical composition

Due to its rich composition, peas have a huge vitamin value and can be compared in this even with bell pepper, known for its beneficial properties. This type of legume also contains plant fiber and dietary fiber, with which you can replenish vitamins in the body and even improve he alth. The chemical composition of peas is represented by macronutrients such as phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, chlorine, magnesium and copper. In addition to them, peas contain: copper, manganese, aluminum, molybdenum, cob alt, boron, silicon, chromium, fluorine, selenium, tin, titanium and nickel. The product has amino acids, natural sugar, he althy fats and beta-carotene. The chemical composition of peas includes vegetable protein, carbohydrates and vitamins. Thanks to the latter, this type of legume is one of the most popular products.

Vitamins in peas

When analyzing the chemical composition of peas, special attention should be paid to its vitamin value. It includes the following items:

• Vitamin A. Normalizes metabolic processes, regulates the amount of body fat, strengthens bones, and also has a beneficial effect on vision.
• Vitamin B1. Affects the activity of the nervous system, helps fight viral diseases, cleanses toxins.
• Vitamin B2. Improves cardiovascular performance.
• Vitamin B4. Participates in the synthesis of hormones, the reproductive system and the liver.
• Vitamin B5. Prevents the development of anemia and heart disease.
• Vitamin B6. Normalizes the hematopoietic system, regulates the balance of minerals in the body.
• Vitamin B7. Participates in carbohydrate metabolism, reduces the risk of diabetes.
• Vitamin B8. It has a beneficial effect on memory, improves the functioning of the nervous system.
• Vitamin C. Has a strengthening effect on the immune system, fights pathogenic microbes.

Based on the above facts, we can conclude that the chemical composition of peas has a huge amount of vitamins. For a he althy diet, you need to include it in your diet at least 2 times a week.

Nutritional value of peas

Of course, the main advantage of peas is the presence of high-quality and quickly digestible protein. In addition to the pleasant taste, this is what makes people include it in their diet. Due to the chemical composition of peas and nutritional value, it can replace meat in a vegetarian diet, filling the body with the necessary amount of protein, amino acids, fiber and dietary fiber.

Unlike animal protein, vegetable protein, which is contained in peas, is processed by the body much faster. Easy absorption does not deprive it of nutritional value, which is quite comparable to meat. Peas are recommended to be included in the diet of absolutely everyone, with the exception of thosewho suffer from individual intolerance to this product. It is especially worth leaning on it for athletes and those who are engaged in heavy physical labor. The product supplies the body with energy, improves performance, memory, coordination.

Useful properties of peas

Regular use of this culture has a beneficial effect on the activity of the cardiovascular system, has a positive effect on the metabolism and even improves blood pressure. The chemical composition of peas and the nutritional value that it has makes it good for the heart, it has a positive effect on the heart muscle. By including this type of legume in your diet, you can prevent the development of hypertension and heart attack.

The product has the ability to reduce "bad" cholesterol and cleanse the intestinal walls of toxins and toxins. In addition, nicotinic acid, which regulates cholesterol, removes excess bile and prevents blood clots from forming. Due to the presence of antioxidants, peas are an excellent prevention of many diseases. It is especially worth highlighting its ability to prevent malignant tumors and diseases of the thyroid gland. Regularly using 100 gr. boiled peas, the nutritional value of which exceeds that of most vegetables, can significantly improve your own body.

Peas are very useful for the digestive system. It prevents and eliminates the symptoms of heartburn by stimulating the intestines with dietary fiber. The antioxidants that it contains remove toxins, metal s alts and many other harmful substances that clog the body. Suchcleansing is beneficial for he alth, well-being, as well as the condition of hair and skin.

Calories in peas

Young, fresh and green peas have a fairly low calorie content, which is 55 kcal per 100 grams. The composition of boiled peas has all the same useful substances and almost the same calorie content - 60 kcal per 100 g of product. Special attention should be paid to dried peas, which are often used in cooking. Its calorie content is quite higher than green - 298 cal. Some people often confuse the nutritional value of green and dried peas. But the difference in its nutritional properties and energy value is very different.

When preparing a dish of peas, it is important to remember that it is necessary to count the calorie content, taking into account all the products involved in its composition. For example, pea soup will have less energy value if cooked with vegetable broth instead of meat broth. Knowing this nuance, you can cook a fairly satisfying, but at the same time lean and low-calorie dish, saturated with protein and other useful trace elements.

Species of peas

This type of legume is divided into two different subspecies - sugar and shelling. Peas of the shelling variety cannot be consumed fresh, as they are used to prepare soups, cereals and many other dishes that require preliminary heat treatment. Sugar peas can be eaten raw, canned and frozen. At the same time, the pod itself, in which the peas are located, is also edible.

Varieties of peas can also be determined byits form. For example, smooth and round peas are a starchy species. Brain varieties after final maturation look shriveled. This type of pea is considered the sweetest and most delicious. It is he who is canned and sold in banks.

Green Peas

Few people refuse the pleasure of eating fresh green peas, which have just recently been plucked from the garden. Especially when you consider the fact that, due to the chemical composition, green peas strengthen the walls of blood vessels. It also reduces the risk of heart disease. Its fresh fruits contain a huge amount of flavonoids, which are natural antioxidants. Due to the presence of vitamins, the nutritional value of peas is very high, which makes it useful for various diseases. Green peas prevent oxidation processes in the body, which is an excellent prevention of oncological neoplasms.

Despite all the advantages of the product, it also has some contraindications. A large amount of purines in green peas leads to an increase in urea in the blood. Therefore, it should not be used by children under 3 years of age, as well as those who have a predisposition to urolithiasis, arthritis, allergic reactions and gout.

Canned peas

Most people's winter menu includes this popular product. Green peas from a jar become a permanent inhabitant of the refrigerator or home cellar. It is often used in salads and many other dishes. Low calorie content of 53 kcal per 100 g makes it an indispensable product in the diet of those who lose weight and watch their weight. Canned peas have a large amount of fiber, which removes toxins and cleanses the stomach of toxins. It is also rich in nucleic acids, and they have a beneficial effect on the connective tissues of the body and reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.

However, canned peas should be consumed in moderation despite their nutritional value. The content of vitamins in 100 g of peas makes it a very useful product and an excellent meat substitute. Therefore, you should not combine it with meat or other hard-to-digest foods. This can contribute to indigestion. To make it easier for the stomach to absorb all the nutrients of green peas, you should try to eat them separately from meat products.

Dried peas

Despite the long drying process, it retains all the useful elements that are contained in a fresh product. The chemical composition of dried peas remains the same, except for an increased amount of starch. It is also a dietary product that includes vegetable protein, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals. However, starch greatly increases its calorie content. Fresh peas have an energy value of 55-60 kcal, while dried peas reach almost 300 kcal.

That is why boiled peas should be consumed with extreme caution. Large portions of dishes from this product can harm people who are prone to developingexcess weight. You should not include more than 100 g of dried peas per day in the diet, and if you have problems with the intestines, reduce this amount to 50 g and no more than 2 times a week. Pea soups and cereals are the favorite dish of most people. The beneficial substances in this type of legume make it one of the most popular products among meat substitutes. The nutritional value of 100 g of peas (the calorie content in a dry product reaches 300) exceeds that of many vegetables, fruits and berries. But even taking into account all its benefits, dishes from it should not be abused, otherwise problems with the gastrointestinal tract may arise.

Sprouted peas

It is quite often used in traditional medicine. Sprouted peas have a high content of vitamins and minerals. Drugs, powders, decoctions and infusions are prepared from it. A decoction made from sprouted pea seeds is considered a natural, safe remedy with a diuretic effect. It helps in the treatment of urolithiasis by dissolving kidney stones.

To prepare a decoction, you need to collect shoots of peas before the plant begins to bloom. Then they are carefully crushed, pour 2 tablespoons of raw materials with 2 cups of boiling water and leave to infuse. After half an hour, the finished broth should be filtered and drunk 2 tablespoons before each meal. It is recommended to take the medicine until the unpleasant symptoms of the disease are eliminated.

The benefits and harms of peas

The chemical composition of peas andthe calorie content that it has makes this type of legume indispensable in the diet of a he althy person. Peas are a source of useful substances in the treatment of tuberculosis and vascular diseases. It lowers blood pressure, and is also considered a very good diuretic, which is especially important for urolithiasis. Due to the rich mineral composition, peas are useful for those who are worried about the state of he alth and skin. The vitamins and minerals found in this legume promote hair, nail growth, and overall well-being. By lowering the level of bad cholesterol in the blood, peas have a preventive effect on the body, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

However, in some cases, peas can be harmful. It can not be used for gout, inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as for kidney diseases. With a stomach ulcer, peas are allowed only in the form of mashed potatoes. The crude product has an irritating effect on the gastric mucosa. The amount of peas consumed must be controlled by the elderly, as well as pregnant and lactating women, in order to exclude increased gas formation.

Peas for weight loss

Due to the easily digestible proteins in its composition, it is often used in the preparation of dietary dishes. Fresh green peas are added to salads, various stews are made and stewed with vegetables. No less dietary product is pea soup with vegetable broth. It can be used as an alternative to meat products that are difficult to digest andcontain more fat. Dietary dishes from peas perfectly saturate, and due to the presence of protein, muscle mass does not burn at all. However, do not forget about the difference in the calorie content of peas. Fresh green peas have a low energy value, while dried ones are quite high. The difference between the two states of peas ranges from 300 to 400 calories. This nuance should be taken into account when calculating the calorie content of the finished dish.