Moong dal is a highly nutritious legume that has been an important part of the Indian diet for several years. Widely considered a superfood, moong dal is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. From promoting health heart to preventing cancer, and to reducing inflammation moong dal has plenty of health benefits.
If you are looking to get familiar with moong dal you are at right place. In this post, I will be sharing 10 amazing health benefits of moong dal.
Also read: Masoor dal Benefits: 8 Reasons To Eat This Health Food
Little about moong dal
Moong dal is a lentil that has been a prominent ingredient of Indian meals for a very long time. It was underutilized due to its medicinal properties, but with the rise of processed foods, the health benefits of moong dal have been brought to attention.
The moong dal is believe to originated in the Indian subcontinent around 1500 BC. It’s a warm-season legume that grows quickly under tropical and subtropical conditions.
India is the largest producer of moong dal, accounting for more than 50% of global production but consuming nearly all.
Nutrition facts of moong dal
Moong dal is not only nutritious but also very easily digestible. It’s an excellent source of proteins and also rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.
Here is the nutrition value of 100g moong dal:
| Nutrients | Quantity(100g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 118 |
| Fat | 1.1g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 232mg |
| Potassium | 369mg |
| Dietary fiber | 8g |
| Protein | 24g |
| Vitamin A | 3.3% |
| Vitamin C | 3.3% |
| Iron | 7.8% |
Types of moong dal
The best thing about moong dal is that it comes in different types and colors that we can eat at breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even dessert. This makes it a versatile ingredient.
Split Yellow Moong Dal
Split Yellow Moong Dal is a type of yellow lentil split into two to remove the outer skin. It is the most widely available moong dal in India. This variety is cultivated in more than 80 percent of the total area under moong cultivation in the country. It cooks quickly and does not require too much time for soaking.
Whole Green Moong Dal
It’s a type of mung dal that is green in color, hence the name. Whole green moong dal. The key to this dal’s flavor and texture is that it is not skinned and split. It is commonly used in salads, pulaos, cheelas, soups, and parathas.
Split Green Moong Dal
Split Green Moong Dal is a green gram, which has splited into two, or we can say that it’s a split version of whole green moong daal. It is native to India but is grown in many other parts of the world as well.
It is easy to digest and causes no stomach discomfort, so it is frequently used to prepare khichdi, a traditional Indian dish.
Also read: 8 Benefits Of Urad Dal That Will Blow Your Mind
10 Health benefits of moong dal
Good for your heart
If you are planning to maintain a healthy heart, you may need to include moong dal in your diet.
Research has found that moong dal can be used to fight against high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and stroke, all of which are related to heart disease. It’s suggested that eating cooked green grams could lower the risk of a heart attack.
Also, moong dal is a rich source of dietary fiber, which is essential for reducing inflammation and promote heart health.
High in Protein
Protein is the building block of the body and is essential for the healthy development of the body. Moong Dal high protein content is one of the reason behind its many benefits.
A single 100 grams serving of moong dal provide 24 grams of protein. And then sprouting the moong dal further increases its protein content by 30%.
The protein in moong dal is a complete protein, meaning it contains enough of all nine essential amino acids. These amino acids are important for the body’s construction and repair of tissues, as well as the production of hormones, enzymes, and other chemicals.
Related reading: 5 Dals that will help you get your daily protein intake
Low in fat and calories
Moong dal is a low-fat and low-calorie food. An average serving of moong dal contains about 100 calories which is a low number as far as calories are concerned. Hence, It’s an excellent food for those who are on a weight loss diet.
Good source of antioxidants
Moong dal is excellent source of antioxidants like vitexin and isovitexin that helps to protect cell in your body from damage caused by free radicals. It prevents cell damage that may lead to cancer, heart disease, and other health problems.
Also, research has shown that eating foods rich in antioxidants may help you live a longer and healthy life.
Good source of dietary fiber
Dietary fiber is the indigestible portion of food derived from plants and is considered one of the most important aspects of healthy eating.
Moong dal is good source of dietary fiber which helps to increases the speed of digestion, regulates bowel movement, prevents constipation and decreases the risk of heart disease.
One cup of cooked moong dal has about 16 grams of dietary fiber which is about 50 % of daily value.
Good source of amino acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein required to perform various activities in our daily lives, but the body doesn’t produce them. As a result, we need to get them from the food we eat.
Moong dal is high in amino acids such as phenylalanine, leucine, and valine, which aid in the production of haemoglobin, antibodies, and other vital body components.
According to health experts, if the body gets all the essential amino acids it needs, it will help maintain proper hormone production, keep bones strong, keep the heart healthy, make the immune system stronger and improve the body’s ability to fight infections.
Good for digestion
Digestion is an important process of the body to get its nutrients from the food you eat. Moong dal is healthy for the stomach and also aids in the process of digestion. Although moong dal is easy to digest, so after eating, you will never face the problem of bloating or gas.
Control blood sugar levels
If you have diabetes, eating moong dal on a regular basis can help you manage your blood sugar levels.
People with diabetes should eat foods that have a low glycemic index. Foods with a low glycemic index digest slowly and do not increase blood sugar levels.
Moong dal has a moderate glycemic index, which is lower than rice and wheat, making it suitable for people with diabetes.
Good source of folate
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that is available in a variety of foods.
It is required to form new cells, especially red blood cells, as well as DNA synthesis.
It is also required for normal nervous system function, normal psychological function, and the regulation of the female reproductive cycle.
One cup of moong dal contains about 80% of the folate which can benefit you during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of brain and spine birth defects in your child.
Lowers the bad cholesterol
Bad cholesterol or low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are often perceived as “bad” because they are the main cause of the hardening of the arteries, which is the leading cause of heart disease.
Moong dal is high in fibre, and including it in your diet can help lower bad cholesterol and prevent heart disease.
Final words
If you are not eating moong dal, you are missing out on the incredible health benefits that it offers.
Now that you’ve read through this blog, you probably have gained a new appreciation for the health benefits of moong dal.
So, the next time you’re in the mood for some dal, give moong dal a try. It’s possible that you’ll be surprised at how much more flavorful and beneficial it is.
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