Affiliations: [a] Department of Clinical Nutrition, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, P.O. Box 2440, Hail, Saudi Arabia. e-mail: moezf@uop.edu.jo
| [b] Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Petra University, Amman, Jordan | [c] Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan | [d] Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Abstract: Humans have known lentils (Lens culinaris L.) since the dawn of civilization. The current work is a comprehensive review of lentils composition, nutritional value, and health benefits. The article addresses major proteins identified in lentils and their bioactive peptides, including lectins, defensins, and protease inhibitors. In addition, this review discusses the complex carbohydrate fractions in lentils, particularly the resistant starches, oligosaccharides, and dietary fibers with emphasis on their biomedical properties. Also, the current review discusses minerals and vitamins as well as the non-nutritive bioactive phytochemicals of lentils which add to the promising potential for clinical applications in the management and prophylaxis of several chronic human illnesses. The article finds out that various potential health benefits have been described for lentils such as anticarcinogenic, blood pressure-lowering, hypocholesterolemic and glycemic load-lowering effects. The proposed mechanisms behind each health benefit are discussed.
