Protein in small legumes

From a nutritional point of view, the leguminous plant seeds are first of all valued for high contents of protein.

They are also a valuable source of vitamins of group B as well as macro- and microelements, among which the following deserve particular attention:potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, zinc and sulphur.

Legumes also contain phytates, which, as shown in animal studies, may protect cells from cancerous changes, and are rich in dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble.

Particularly much protein is included in soy (40g in 100g) and this protein has a very high nutritive value, the highest among all the plant proteins. The carbohydrate content in dry seeds of leguminous plants ranges between 40 and 60g in 100g, while fat content – between 5g (for most of leguminous plants) and 20g (for soy seeds).