Eating food items such as lentils, beans, chickpeas and peas are all part of the many varieties of pulses, and there can be several benefits to increasing your intake of these types of food.

Here are 5 of the health benefits you can experience from increasing your consumption of pulses:

### 1. Improves digestion

As with most high fibre foods, pulses are a great source of fibre, and the health benefit of fibre is something that is often overlooked.

Fibre can improve or aid in the treatment of many diseases and can even improve your mental health through its effect on the good bacteria in your gut, but its main role is to help with digestion.

Fibre increases the bulk of the food you eat, helping it to pass through your system faster and easier, and reducing the chance of constipation.

### 2. Can help reduce blood sugar levels

A diet including more pulses can help you control your blood sugar levels.

Pulses are a low Glycemic Index (GI) carbohydrate, meaning they slowly release sugars into your blood stream after eating, reducing your overall blood sugar levels. This has been shown to be beneficial for those suffering from Diabetes or those at risk of developing the disease.

### 3. Can improve heart health

Including more pulses in your diet can improve your heart health.

They are low in fat and cholesterol, and the fibre in them can help to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in your body.

This can have a major positive impact on your health, as it greatly reduces your risk of heart disease and strokes.

Another factor in heart health that pulses can affect is blood pressure. They are a good source of Potassium, an essential mineral that helps your body get rid of excess sodium, which can cause high blood pressure.

Adding pulses to your diet is a great way to reduce your risk of heart disease.

### 4. Great plant-based protein source

Increasing your pulse consumption can support a plant-based diet, as they are one of the best sources of plant-based protein.

Proteins are essential for building hormones, muscles and many other things in your body, and pulses have all of the essential amino acids your body needs to make them.

They are also very low in fat, which is something that many other protein foods (especially animal-based ones) cannot say.

### 5. Can help support weight loss or maintenance

Increasing consumption of is a great way to improve your health, but it can also help you support and maintain a healthy weight.

As mentioned earlier, pulses are high in fibre and protein; two nutrients that can help you feel fuller for longer, reducing the chance of overeating.

They also have a relatively low calorie count, so they can help you eat a healthy diet without worrying about going over your daily calorie allowance.

Increasing your intake of pulses has many potential health benefits, whether you're looking to improve your digestion, reduce your risk of heart disease or simply want healthy and nutritious food. These small changes to your diet could greatly benefit you in the future, so the next time you go grocery shopping, pick up some pulses and add them to your next meal!