GOOD INTAKES OF PULSES, which include beans, peas, chickpeas and lentils, have been associated with a reduced risk of many health problems. In one landmark study looking at the diets of different countries and their impact on heart health, high intakes of pulses were strongly linked to fewer deaths from coronary heart disease. Added to this, the World Cancer Research Fund recommends eating more pulses to protect against cancer.
Another large study found that women who ate good amounts of pulses had a 38% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The health benefits are unsurprising, according to a recent Canadian report, when you consider pulses are low in fat and saturates, yet packed with fibre, protein and a variety of minerals.