Horse Gram or Kulthi (Scientific Name: Macrotyloma uniflorum) is a less-known pulse.
As the name suggests, horse gram is mainly used for feeding horses. However, it has traditionally been used in Ayurveda as it offers several medicinal uses.
In this article, we will look at 8 Incredible health benefits of horse gram.
Health Benefits of Horse Gram
1. Packed With Nutrients
Horse gram is an outstanding source of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Since it has 57 grams of carbs per 100 grams, horse gram is not keto-friendly.
Nutrition Facts
100 grams of horse gram provides the following nutrients (1).
- Calories: 321 kcal
- Carbohydrate: 57 grams
- Protein: 22 grams
- Fat: 0.5 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 5.3 grams
- Calcium: 287 mg
- Iron: 6.77 mg
- Potassium: 13 mg
- Vitamin B1: 0.4 mg
- Zinc: 30 μg
- Vitamin B2: 0.2 mg
- Vitamin B3: 1.5 mg
2. Helps Manage Diabetes
Horse gram has a glycemic index of 51 (2), which means it’s a low GI food.
Hence, it will not raise your blood sugar levels immediately. Instead, it helps lower blood glucose levels (3).
Moreover, research reveals that raw horse gram contains a very high amount of antioxidants than their sprouts.
Therefore, raw horse grams are even more efficient in managing diabetes (4).
3. Helps in Weight loss
Obesity is a common problem for many of us. Being obese increases the risk of many diseases.
Horse gram is better known for its ability to reduce fat and weight.
Studies show that regular consumption of horse gram lowers LDL cholesterol levels which aid weight loss (5).
Additionally, horse gram has a massive amount of fiber. Fiber reduces your hunger and keeps you full for longer.
4. Treats Gallstones and Kidney Stones
Horse gram has been traditionally used as a home remedy for treating kidney stones.
The reason is that horse gram contains a lot of antioxidants, such as polyphenols.
These antioxidants are very effective against gallstones. They also help reduce the size of kidney stones (6).
5. Protects your liver
A high intake of chemical pain relievers such as paracetamol may damage your liver.
Research indicates that horse gram may help improve your liver function. Also, It may reduce the damage to the liver due to high paracetamol intake (7).
6. Helps Treat Asthma
Asthma makes breathing difficult by making our airways narrowed and inflamed.
Thankfully, horse gram possesses anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the inflammation in airways and frees your airway to ease breathing (8).
7. Prevents Piles and Constipation
Constipation makes your stool hard and makes it difficult to pass. Also, chronic constipation may lead to piles.
Horse gram is an excellent source of dietary fiber. Fiber improves your digestion and softens your stool to ease constipation.
Therefore, horse gram is an excellent choice for preventing piles and constipation.
8. Helps Treat Ulcer
Horse gram contains a high amount of phenolic compounds.
Multiple studies show that these antioxidants can protect you from stomach ulcers and help ulcers heal (9, 10).
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, horse gram is an excellent whole grain to include in your regular diet. It offers numerous medicinal uses to make our body fit and healthy.