Lentil Soup is the soup prepared by including lentil (edible pulse) as the main ingredients. It can be prepared as a vegetarian as well as in non-vegetarian form also by including meat.

Lentils for preparing soup can be yellow, brown, red or black with or without husk. Yellow lentil disintegrates while cooking so the soup prepared from them is thick in nature.

Lentil Soup can have the variety of ingredients mixed in it. Ingredients may include vegetables like carrots, potatoes, tomato, pumpkin, celery, parsley, onion and ripe plantain.

You can also include different flavors to get a better taste of the soup.

Flavorings may include garlic, cumin leaf, bay leaf, olive oil, and vinegar. Further garnishing can be done with croutons or chopped herbs or butter, olive oil, cream or yogurt.

Indian flavor of lentil soup includes aromatic spices. In the Middle East, lemon juice is added to the soup to add pungent tang.

It also cuts the heaviness of the dish. However, In Egypt, Soup is pureed and normally people have this in winters.

Lentil Soups are rich in protein, dietary fiber, iron, and potassium. They have high nutritional values. It is generally suggested to the patients for liver ailments.

How To Prepare Lentil Soup At Home:

• Ingredients:
• 1 chopped onion
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 diced carrots
• 2 chopped stalks celery
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1-2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups dry lentils
• 8 cups water
• 1/2 cup spinach, rinsed and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

• Heat oil in a large boiling pot on medium heat.
• Carrots, onions, and celery need to be added in oil.
• Cook and stir till onion becomes tender.
• Garlic, Bay leaf, and basil leaves need to be stirred along with garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.
• Add some lentils, water, and chopped tomatoes. Bring it to boil.
• After it has been cooked, also add spinach until it’s cooked.
• Add some pepper, vinegar, salt for taste.
• Lentil soup is ready to be served.

Health Benefits of Lentil Soup:

1.Lentil Soup Low Cholesterol

Lentils soup are very helpful in lowering down the blood cholesterol level. As they contain the high amount of soluble fiber which does the lowering of cholesterol. Maintaining the cholesterol level helps in reducing the risks of heart disease and stroke by keeping the arteries clean.

2. Lentil Soup Helps Maintain HHealthy Heart

Several studies state that consuming a large amount of fiber food is helpful in keeping the check on heart-related problems. Lentils soup are also rich in folate and magnesium. These elements are big contributors in keeping the heart healthy. Folate lowers down the homocysteine levels.

Homocysteine is responsible for various heart diseases. On the other hand, magnesium improves the blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients in the body. Low level of magnesium directly leads to heart diseases. Therefore, lentils keep heart healthy.

3. Digestive Health

High fiber content in lentil soup is responsible for preventing from constipation and other digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis.

4. Check Blood Sugar

Fiber traps down the carbohydrates, which slows down the digestion. Hence, blood sugar level is maintained. High fiber content is present in lentil soup. This would be helpful in diabetes,  insulin resistance or hypoglycemia.

5. High Protein Content

Of all the benefits, Major one is that lentils contain third highest content of protein in it. 26% of the lentils calories are attributed to protein. Hence it is a good source of proteins for vegetarians and vegans.

6. Source of Energy

It is a great source of energy due to the presence of fiber and carbohydrates content in it. It increases the steady and slow-burning energy. Also a good source of Iron. Iron is responsible for transportation of oxygen throughout the body. Hence increases the metabolism and energy in the body.

7. Weight Loss

Lentils are very beneficial in weight loss. It contains important nutrients needed by our body and very low calories and virtually no fat. Thus if intake of lentils is regular, it can help in weight loss.

8. Beneficial At The Pregnancy Time

Folate found in the lentils is observed that it is helpful in eliminating the birth defects and also reduces the risk of early delivery almost by 50 percent.

9. Cancer

Selenium is found in lentils. It is rare to find this element in a food. It prevents inflammation and also decreases the rate of growth of tumors.

Also, improves the immune response to the infection by stimulating the production of killer t-cells. It is responsible for eliminating cancer-causing compound from our body.

Include lentils in your diet. Its content will surely contribute to keeping you healthy in some or the other way. It’s great to eat healthily and live healthily.

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