About Green Peas - The Powerful Little Vegetable

Peas may not strike you as the most interesting vegetable, however, there’s more to this miniscule vegetable than meets the eye.
Peas are recognized as one of the first food crops cultivated by humans. They were initially consumed in a dried form, but eventually they became popular as a fresh vegetable. Green peas are now one of the world’s most commonly consumed vegetables and are available in almost all climatic zones.

Peas have a short shelf life, and are thus mostly sold in canned, dried or frozen forms. Don’t worry about the nutritional content because peas can be frozen, dried or canned without losing their taste, texture, color or nutrients!

The infamous pea pod is what makes this vegetable unique. The pods hold these tiny sweet and starchy vegetables inside a green covering. The three broad varieties of peas include the garden (green) peas, snap peas and snow peas. Garden Peas (Green peas) are the most widely consumed variety.

Green Peas Nutritional Information

Don’t judge this vegetable by its size, because it is absolutely brimming with nutrients!
Green Peas are not only low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium; they are also a rich source of the all-important manganese (36%), copper (12%) and phosphorus (16.1%). Moreover, green peas are packed with an all-star selection of vitamins including rich stores of Vitamin A (22%), Vitamin C (32.5%), Vitamin B6 (15%), Vitamin K (44.6%) and Folate (21.6%).
And that’s not all! They also contribute to optimal digestive health by providing your body with an excellent source of dietary fiber (30.3%).

Green Peas Health Benefits

Include this delicious vegetable in your regular diet in order to avail a multitude of unique health benefits!

Good For  Your Heart!

Green peas are an excellent source of folic acid, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin K. These three powerful substances are dedicated promoters of cardiovascular health. Research indicates that those who consume peas at least 4 times a week have a 22% lower risk of suffering from coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems and even diabetes!

Good For Your Bones

Green peas are highly recommended for the maintenance of healthy bones. Consuming one cup of green peas will provide your body with 50% of the recommended daily value of vitamin K, and will also enrich your body with a rich dose of manganese. Both these substances work effectively to fortify and strengthen your bones, and prevent bone calcification.

An Effective Anti-Cancer Agent!

One cup of green peas contains 10 mg of coumestrol, a powerful antioxidant which inhibits the growth of cancer cells and is especially effective against stomach cancer! Green peas also contain a wide variety of anti inflammatory and antioxidant phytonutrients which act as cancer preventive substances.

Good for your Digestive System!

Green peas contain a substantial amount of protein and fiber. This protein helps to regulate the pace at which we digest our food whilst helping us breakdown starch content into simple sugars. The dietary fiber promotes smooth bowel movement, and prevents cases of constipation and diarrhea.

Possible Ways To Enjoy Green Peas

Green peas are a very versatile vegetable and can be enjoyed in a plethora of ways. You can steam, boil, fry, bake, or even grill them! So let your creative juices flow, and cook up your own unique green pea recipe!

Here is a quick, nutritious way to enjoy green peas: Boil them and add a pinch of salt and bit of butter for that extra flavor. Juicy steaks, mashed potatoes and a side order of boiled, salted and buttered green peas: it doesn’t get any more mouth-watering than this!

Possible Health Concerns

Peas contain a substance called purine. Individuals who are vulnerable to purine-related problems may suffer from gout and kidney stones, and thus should refrain from consuming green peas.