Green peas are an ancient type of cultivated vegetable that has incredible health benefits, such as improving digestion, preventing heart disease, lowering cholesterol, and keeping the entire body strong and young.
They are green in color and grow in pods, which are also edible, and are categorized as legumes. The American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, and the American Cancer Society recommend adding legumes to the diet to increase health, lifespan, and energy.
Filled with protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, these sweet seed-like bulbs are perfect to add to any meal or to have on their own. They can be bought fresh, canned, frozen, and dried, and are popular to add to curries, soups, wraps, and as a side dish.
Here are 10 Health Benefits of Green Peas:
1..Healthy for the Heart
Chronic oxidative stress and the build-up of plaque in the arteries causes heart disease, which is the number 1 killer in the world. Approximately 610 000 people in the US die of heart disease per year, and more than 735 000 people have a heart attack.
Green peas are packed with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds which have been proven to decrease free radical damage in the body and reduce the risk of developing heart disease. They also contain a range of complex B-vitamins, such as B-1, B-2, B-3, and B-6, which reduces homocysteine levels that usually lead to plaque build-up.
2. Lowers Cholesterol 
Green peas contain plenty of soluble fiber, which is important for keeping low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in balance. High LDL cholesterol levels can lead to the development of strokes, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes, which is why it’s important to keep it in check.
Just one cup of green peas contains more than 7 grams of dietary fiber, which is equivalent to 28% of the daily recommended amount. The soluble and insoluble fiber found in the skin and flesh of each flavorful pea will help to keep your cholesterol levels balanced and keep your blood vessels and arteries healthy.
3. Regulates Blood Sugar
There are few food sources that compare to the incredible amount of protein and fiber that green peas offer, which is excellent for balancing blood sugar levels. The high fiber content helps to regulate the pace at which food is digested, while the high protein content helps to regulate the breakdown of starches into sugars. Green peas are excellent for short and long-term management of blood sugar levels and have been shown to lower both fasting blood sugar and insulin levels. This helps to prevent sharp spikes in blood sugar, which helps to prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes.
4. Strengthens Immunity
One cup of green peas meets 96% of the recommended daily amount of Vitamin C, which is an extremely powerful antioxidant that keeps the immune system strong. A healthy immune system relies on a good, nourishing diet, which green peas are excellent for. They also contain plenty of polyphenols, phytonutrients, and antioxidants that increase white blood cell production, giving germs and unhealthy cells no chance to survive.
5. Naturally Anti-Aging
Oxidative stress caused environmental pollution, the sun’s UV rays, and stress can lead to premature aging in the form of wrinkles, sagging skin, fine lines, and pigmentation. Green peas contain flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acids, and polyphenols that help to reduce free radical damage, especially in skin tissues. The intensity of the Vitamin C in green peas also helps to keep skin supple, young, and glowing, which is why it is often seen as an ingredient in cosmetic products. For a naturally youthful glow and an increase in energy, simply add green peas to your diet, whether steamed, boiled, stir-fried, or eaten fresh and raw.
6. Excellent for Digestion
With 5 grams of fiber per 100 grams, green peas help to ensure that digestion is kept functioning at its optimum. The soluble and insoluble fiber helps to increase nutrient absorption, boost satiation, cleanse the digestive tract, and regulate the pace of the breakdown of food. This helps to prevent or reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, flatulence, and other digestive disorders.
7. Keeps Bones Strong
Vitamin K is extremely important for skeletal health and green peas contain 44% of the recommended daily amount per cup. Studies have shown that Vitamin K helps to improve calcium absorption, increases bone density, and modulates bone metabolism, which helps to prevent the development of arthritis, joint pain, and osteoporosis.
Dr. Cees Vermeer, one of the top Vitamin K researchers in the world, has said that nearly everyone is deficient in Vitamin K and that eating green peas more regularly would help to boost intake to an adequate level.
8. Promotes Good Eyesight
An essential nutrient that is required for maintaining healthy eyes and excellent vision is Vitamin A and green peas provide 26% of the required daily amount per 100 grams. It also contains 3.6 milligrams of lutein, which is a type of antioxidant that keeps the cells of the eyes healthy.
According to the American Optometric Association, an adequate intake of lutein and Vitamin A could prevent vision loss, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.
9. Prevents Stomach Cancer
A recent study conducted in Mexico City confirmed that regular consumption of green peas could be associated with the prevention of stomach cancer due to the high level of fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients that they provide. Peas also contain a high amount of a polyphenol known as coumestrol, which has been proven to significantly decrease the risk of developing all types of colon cancer.
The recommended daily amount of coumestrol is set at 2 milligrams per day, and peas offer 10 milligrams of it per cup, making it one of the very best choices of nutrition for minimizing the risk of cancer.
10. Anti-Inflammatory
Green peas contain powerful natural anti-inflammatory compounds, such as catechin, epicatechin, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid. These compounds reduce the risk of developing chronic inflammatory disorders and diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis.
They also contain 30 milligrams of alpha linoleic acid (ALA) per cup, which is a type of anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acid that further helps to reduce inflammation, especially in vital organs, such as the heart and brain.
Sources:
https://heartuk.org.uk/health-and-high-cholesterol
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11684396
https://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/59/5/1242S.short
