XIV. Legumes: The Food Of The FUTURE.

Before we list the legumes, it seems appropriate to offer some information.

1. What are legumes?
Legumes are vegetal edible seeds, family plants of Legumes, subfamily Papilionee, belong to the order of Fabeles.

2. Where do legumes come from?
The story of legumes origins with the ancient Egypts, later with Greeks.
Also present in the Holy Scriptures (Old Testament), and in Orient about 20,000 yrs ago.
According to certain opinions, beans in particular seem to have been imported to Europe after the discovery of America.

3. What function do they play in nutrition?
Having a good starchy component, they can replace potatoes and cereals-based foods, (except bread which requires gluten, absent in legumes).
At the same time, the typical proteic abundance, if suitably combined with other foods, legumes can reach a biological value such as to replace animal foods.
They can be used in stews as substitutes of pasta and rice; boiled, drained and cooled to accompany other dishes.

4. Which are the effects and contraindications of Legumes?
Consumption of relevant legumes quantities, provokes the develop of intestinal gas (flatulence) and other digestive disorders caused by carbohydrates contained in them. The carbohydrates can't be well digested even if legumes are well cooked as the intestine lacks enzymes able to break carbs molecules, while the intestinal flora can do that at its damage and so, causing gas. They require a long cooking as they can't be digested as raws. The outer husk must be well cooked or it can lead to bloating and diarrhea. In legumes are also contained no nutritional substances who combine chimically with minerals reducing their use by the body. The intolerance to legumes is called "Favism", hereditary disease caused by the lack of an enzyme able to neutralize the harmful effects of some toxic substances, creating seizures.

*Another part is dedicated to the combination of foods, valid as general rules to a healthy life.

USEFUL TO KNOW: According to what the guru of Blood Groups Diet affirms, LEGUMES are considered the FOOD of TOMORROW. 

Here come all the legumes known and presently available on global market :

. Chickpeas/ Garbanzo Beans;
. Beans:
[ - red beans;
- fresh beans;
- black beans;
- cannellini beans];

. Fava Beans;
. Lupins;
. Cowpeas;
. Grass Pea/ Chickling Pea/ Vetch;
. Peas;
. Green Beans;
. Lentils;
. Mangetout peas;
. Soy:
[ - dry soy;
 - yellow soy;
 - green soy;
 - Azuki/ red soy;
 - bean sprouts;
 - edamame/soybeans; 
 - tempeh/soy meat;
 - tofu/soy cheese; 
 - miso/soy milk.]