Are Water Lentils the Best Vegan Protein?
Plant proteins are very appealing for health but often fall short in amino acids except for one little plant called water lentils.
Water lentils contain ALL the essential amino acids.
In addition to being a complete protein source, water lentils are also free of lectins and allergens. They may also be one of the most sustainable food options out there.
Learn about the health benefits of water lentils, how they compare to green, red, and brown lentils, recipes, and more in this post.
What are water lentils?
Water lentils truly aren’t a lentil at all; they are small flowering aquatic plants also known as Lemnoideae. This is a family of plants that includes both Lemna and Wolffiaor Duckweed. They are freshwater plants that grow best in warm temperatures.
Water lentils are so much MORE than legumes for your health too. They are suitable for people on an autoimmune protocol because they are lectin-free. Bonus: the nutrients in water lentils are likely MUCH better absorbed than in standard lentils. I will explain more below.
Water lentils are also commonly known as Lemna, duckweed, and man kai. Though sometimes confused with being part of the lentil family, Lentein® chose to call these little plant water lentils because it is the most common translation of the word. They can also be called lentille d’eau, wasserlinse, lenteja de agua, and water linze.
How are water lentils eaten?
Water lentils are eaten as part of a healthy diet in various Asian countries and can be used in salads, curries, stir fry dishes, and more. They taste a lot like watercress.
Water lentils are very nutritious compared to many foods, including most legumes and lentils.
Unlike most plants, water lentils are such a high-quality protein that they are similar in amino acid profile to whey protein powder.
This is rare and unheard of among plant-based proteins! Water lentils contain all of the essential amino acids.
A nutrient-rich food and allergen-free food, water lentils also contain many vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, healthy fatty acids like omega 3 fats, and antioxidants.
Plant-based vitamin B12?
Water lentils are now identified as one of the only bio-available plant sources of vitamin B12, While I haven’t yet seen the quantity of vitamin B12, this is a hopeful area for a plant-sourced vitamin B12.
Water lentils do not contain any lectins. This is why they may be very useful for people with digestive issues, such as leaky gut, or for autoimmune issues.
As you can see, water lentils have per 100g serving:
3 grams omega-3 fats
30 grams fiber
40 grams protein
38 grams iron
7 grams zinc
1.8 mcg folate
5.6 mcg lutein
This far outshines regular lentils and almost any food out there as far as nutrients go.
Where to buy water lentils
You can buy sustainable and pure water lentils as vegan meal replacement shakes on Alex@idobio.com or WhatsApp +86-18291857498
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