Lentils play an important role in Indian cuisine. Lentils contain protein, iron, fiber and other nutrients, which are essential for our health. However, a recent research has revealed that lentils should be cooked by removing the foam. The foam contains a compound called purine, which can increase the amount of uric acid in the body. Increase in uric acid can cause dangerous diseases like heart attack, kidney disease, joint problems.

A study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology has found that the amount of purine in the foam of lentils is 20 times higher, which can increase the level of uric acid in the body. The study found that cooking lentils by removing their foam can reduce the level of uric acid by 20%. This study has been done for the first time in India. Earlier, studies conducted in many countries had also revealed that lentils should be cooked by removing the foam.

Pressure cooker is becoming a villain

. In India, the practice of taking out the foam of pulses was very common earlier. But, now people mostly cook pulses in pressure cooker. It is difficult to remove the foam while cooking pulses in a pressure cooker. Therefore, most people do not remove the foam. Based on the findings of this study, it can be said that lentils should be cooked by removing the foam. With this, the level of uric acid in the body can be prevented from increasing and the risk of dangerous diseases like heart attack, kidney disease, joint problems can be reduced.

How were pulses cooked in earlier times?

In earlier times, people did not have gas stoves and cookers in their homes. In such a situation, pulses were cooked in a Sagli (round shaped vessel) on an earthen stove. While cooking dal in Sagli, foam used to rise and was removed with a spoon. With this, purines present in pulses were also removed. Nowadays, most people cook dal in pressure cooker. It is difficult to remove the foam while cooking pulses in a pressure cooker. Therefore, most people do not remove the foam.

How to remove foam while cooking dal

- Wash the dal and put it in a pressure cooker.

- Add water to the dal so that the dal gets immersed in water.

Cook the lentils on medium flame.

- When foam starts forming in the dal, remove it with a spoon.

- Keep removing the foam until the foam stops forming in the dal.

After this, close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook the dal.

- By removing the foam from lentils in this way, you can improve your health.

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