Dried beans, lentils and peas are about to enjoy an extended moment in the sun, as FAO on November 10, 2015 launches the International Year of Pulses: nutritious seeds for a sustainable future.
Popular pulses include all varieties of dried beans, such as kidney beans, lima beans, butter beans, broad beans, chick peas, cowpeas, black-eyed peas and pigeon peas.
Low in fat and rich in nutrients and soluble fiber, pulses are considered excellent for managing cholesterol and digestive health.
They are a vital source of proteins and amino acids and an affordable alternative to more expensive animal-based protein in many parts of the world.
Pulses are a key ingredient in healthy diets to address obesity and to prevent and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, coronary conditions and cancer.
The International Year of Pulses 2016 will encourage better use of pulse-based proteins throughout the food chain, seek to boost their production globally, improve crop rotations and address challenges in the trade in pulses.
