Pulses are the dried seeds of leguminous plants including peas, beans and lentils. The nutrients that they contain vary slightly but they can all be used as part of a healthy diet.Pulses are low in fat, cholesterol-free, high in both complex carbohydrates and protein, and provide an excellent source of soluble fibre that is essential to help lower cholesterol in the blood. Lentils also contain insoluble fibre, which helps to maintain a healthy digestive system and in the fight against some cancers. Pulses are a valuable food in all diets, but particularly vegetarian. They have a high protein content and are a good source of calcium, which also makes them useful to those with a dairy intolerance.
