Black-eyed peas are a variety of the cowpea and are part of the family of beans & peas. Although called a pea, it is actually a bean. Both peas and beans are legumes, and both have edible seeds and pods. They are available dried, frozen and canned and offer several health benefits when included in a well-balanced diet. They make a good addition to soups, stews and salads and are also a healthy side dish.
Black-eyed peas are part of the legume family that is known as being a primary source of plant protein. Protein helps with maintaining healthy muscles, bones and cartilage. Black-eyed peas also contain vital nutrients, such as B vitamins, vitamin E, iron and potassium. They can even help with weight loss because they’re filling but low in calories. A half-cup serving has only 80 calories, making black-eyed peas an excellent choice for anyone trying to drop excess weight.
--- One of the main health benefits of black-eyed peas is their high fiber content. A 1/2 cup of dry black-eyed peas that are cooked have 5.6 g of fiber, while a 1/2 cup of canned black-eyed peas contains 4 g. These amounts will vary among brands of black-eyed peas. Fiber is a nutrient that helps regulate your digestive system, and increasing your intake could help alleviate constipation and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Fiber also helps keep your cholesterol levels healthy by preventing cholesterol from being absorbed into your bloodstream, which reduces your risk of developing heart disease. Additionally, high-fiber foods keep you feeling full, since they are digested slowly -- which is important for weight control.
--- One cup of cooked black-eyed peas, or cowpeas, has 160 calories and negligible fat. Their 5 grams of protein represents 9 percent of the recommended daily intake for men and 11 percent for women.
--- Black-eyed peas contain zinc, an essential trace mineral that has significant health benefits. The average adult needs only 8 to 11 milligrams of zinc per day, and you can find more than 3 milligrams in 1 cup of black-eyed peas. Zinc is good for your eyes and can help reduce your risk for macular degeneration and protect against night blindness. It’s also a major immune system booster and can help fight influenza and heal wounds. The zinc in black-eyed peas also has antioxidant properties, which help protect your cells from free radicals that contribute to several health problems and can speed up the aging process.
--- Low in fat and calories makes them a nutritious accessory for a weight-loss diet plan. A diet which is lower in fat and calories can help you slim down, avoids putting on weight and safeguards you from numerous health problems, which includes cardiovascular disease, diabetes and also depressive disorders.
--- A 1/2 cup of dry and cooked black-eyed peas contains 239 mg of potassium, and the same amount from a can has 206 mg. Potassium is a nutrient that helps keep your blood pressure levels at healthy numbers, which lowers your risk of heart disease. Getting adequate potassium in your diet from black-eyed peas also supports the health of your muscles and bones.
-----> With so many health benefits, it’s a no-brainer to include more black-eyed peas in your diet. They’re simple to prepare; unlike most other legumes, they require no soaking. Just cook them in water or broth until they’re tender. You can dress them up with herbs and spices and serve them as a side dish, or you can add them to soups, salads or casseroles.
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