Reference Number: 442
Year: 2012
Link: Link to original paper
Health: Cardiometabolic diseases | Glycemic response | Gut Microbiome | Inflammation | Lower Inflammation | Metabolic syndrome
Nutrition: Bioactive peptides | Carbohydrates | Fibre | Minerals | Polyphenols | Prebiotic | Proteins | Vitamins
Summary
Pulses, including peas, have long been important components of the human diet due to their content of starch, protein and other nutrients. More recently, the health benefits other than nutrition associated with pulse consumption have attracted much interest. The focus of the present review paper is the demonstrated and potential health benefits associated with the consumption of peas, Pisum sativum L., specifically green and yellow cotyledon dry peas, also known as smooth peas or field peas. These health benefits derive mainly from the concentration and properties of starch, protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals in peas. Fibre from the seed coat and the cell walls of the cotyledon contributes to gastrointestinal function and health, and reduces the digestibility of starch in peas. The intermediate amylose content of pea starch also contributes to its lower glycaemic index and reduced starch digestibility. Pea protein, when hydrolysed, may yield peptides with bioactivities, including angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor activity and antioxidant activity. The vitamin and mineral contents of peas may play important roles in the prevention of deficiency-related diseases, specifically those related to deficiencies of Se or folate. Peas contain a variety of phytochemicals once thought of only as antinutritive factors. These include polyphenolics, in coloured seed coat types in particular, which may have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activity, saponins which may exhibit hypocholesterolaemic and anticarcinogenic activity, and galactose oligosaccharides which may exert beneficial prebiotic effects in the large intestine.
Significance of this study for the baker:
Peas are included in our botanical blends. This review confirms that peas have a good level of fibre, polyphenols and nutrients which allow it to not only feed our beneficial gut microbes, yes also further contribute to our health and potentially to the prevention of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.