Peas, botanically a fruit, belong to the Fabaceae family of flowering plants just like cowpeas and pigeon peas. Peas are also recognized as the only legume to be consumed fresh unlike the lentils, pulses, and chickpeas that are sold in the dried form. Considered as one of the earliest food crops to be cultivated, peas are most abundantly produced in Canada with France, China, Russia, and India next in line. The fresh green peas come packed with phytonutrients, specially coumestrol, that protects against stomach cancer. Another phytonutrient found only in peas is saponin. Being low on the glycemic index and high on the fibre and protein content, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes is also down to a minimum if you consume peas regularly. These also come loaded with antioxidants and nutrients like Vitamin A, C, B6, K, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and phosphorous.

Eating the sweet-tasting green peas is effective in maintaining cardiovascular health, and limiting neuronal damage while slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Feel free to add peas to whatever you eat. Steam, boil, sautee, bake, grill, fry! Go ahead and put it in soups, pastas, sandwiches, salads, or even in curries. Can be used both fresh and frozen.