Lentils, or dals, are a prevalent dietary staple in Indian households. These lens-shaped seeds from the legume family come in various types and are available with or without their outer husks. Apart from being highly nutritious for our overall health, lentils also serve as natural remedies for numerous skin issues. Among the various types, red lentils are an excellent choice for incorporating into our beauty routines. This article provides comprehensive information about red lentils and includes highly effective recipes for red lentil face packs and body scrubs.
What are Red Lentils (Masoor Dal)?
Red lentils, or masoor dal, are one of the most readily available and widely consumed lentils across the globe. Though native to the Indian subcontinent, it is also cultivated in Canada, Australia, southern Europe, Africa, and the dry areas of the Middle East. These lentils’ distinctive red or orange color is attributed to the cultivars used and their coats and cotyledon composition. The color of the cotyledons determines the color of the dehulled pulses (1). The unique and significant dietary composition of macro- and micro-nutrients makes red lentils an amazingly healthy food item. They have long been used as an Ayurvedic medicine for various ailments. Apart from culinary uses, these sweet and nutty-flavored pulses are also used in skincare and beauty practices.
Red lentils are an indispensable part of Indian cuisine. They are used for making dals, curries, soups, stews, side dishes, breads, and even a base for warm salads.
Read Also – 7 DIY Aloe Vera Scrub Recipes to Achieve a Flawless Skin at Home
Nutritional Value of Red Lentils
Being a highly nutritious food item, every 100 grams of cooked red lentils can provide us with the following nutrients:
- Carbohydrate – 20 gm.
- Protein – 9 gm.
- Fat – 0.4 gm.
- Saturated fat – 0.1 gm.
- Monounsaturated fat – 0.1 gm.
- Polyunsaturated fat – 0.2 gm.
- Sugar – 1.8 gm.
- Dietary fiber – 8 gm.
Besides, red lentils contain vitamins (B6, C, folate), minerals (iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium), antioxidants, and phytochemicals. However, they do not have cholesterol and a few vitamins (A, B12, and D). Red lentils also have only 116 calories.
Health Benefits of Red Lentils
Enriched with so many nutrients, red lentils offer fantastic health benefits and are inexpensive. They are as follows:
- The high dietary fiber content in red lentils is excellent for speeding up digestion as it bulks up the stool and stimulates the process of bowel movement.
- Low-fat content and plenty of dietary fibers in them may promote weight loss by expelling wastes from the body and stopping further weight gain.
- The anti-cancer properties of red lentils, which are contributed by antioxidants, folate, and dietary fibers, may reduce the risk of different cancer types, including breast, bowel, lung, and colon cancer. (2)
- They have a considerably low glycemic index (GI), which may help you manage your diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels. (3)
- These lentils are a great source of proteins and minerals, so they may be able to keep major diseases and illnesses away upon regular consumption.
- Plenty of dietary fibers in red lentils may also effectively lower blood cholesterol levels, averting many cardiovascular problems. (4)
- They are full of antioxidants, which may significantly strengthen our immune system, thus keeping diseases and infections at bay.
- Minerals present in the lentils may aid the growth and development of bones and teeth, which helps in making them stronger and healthier.
- Vitamins and minerals in red lentils may nourish our eyes intensely to keep our vision intact.
Read Also – 5 Best Sprouts for Weight Loss – Know About Their Nutritional Value and Benefits
Skin Benefits of Red Lentils
Red lentil or masoor dal has long been a reliable beauty ingredient. You can get healthy and beautiful skin if you include it in your regular face pack or prepare a body scrub for weekly use. Following are the positive effects of red lentils on our skin :
- Antioxidants in red lentils slow down aging by minimizing the damage to cells and tissues
- The lentils remove suntans and lighten skin tone with their potent vitamin C content
- Essential nutrients in them nourish the skin from the inside out and remove dry patches
- Red lentils work as a great natural cleanser that leaves skin clean, supple, and glowing
- They absorb excess oil from the skin, thus preventing acne, breakouts, and blemishes
- The exfoliating properties of the lentils help in tightening skin pores as well as restoring skin elasticity
8 Simple Red Lentil Face Packs for a Flawless Facial Skin
So, here are a few simple red lentil face packs that can give you soft, smooth, and radiant skin right at home:
1. Soaked Whole Red Lentils
Soak 3 to 4 tablespoons of whole red lentils in water. Leave it overnight. Next morning, grind it finely to prepare a smooth paste. As a face pack, this can easily give you blemish-free, clean skin.
2. Red Lentils and Rose Water
Prepare an oil-controlling face pack by soaking two tablespoons of red lentils in 4 to 5 teaspoons of rose water and making an even paste. It will also help you get rid of acne and pimples.
3. Red Lentils and Milk
Here is a face cleansing pack of 2 tablespoons of red lentils and four tablespoons of fresh raw milk. The thick dal paste can give you squeaky clean skin by removing tan and dead cells.
4. Red Lentils, Milk, and Orange Peel
Turn your dull and damaged skin into a bright and healthy one by soaking two tablespoons of red lentils and one tablespoon of dried orange peels in 2 tablespoons of fresh raw milk and making a fine paste.
5. Red Lentils, Almond Oil, and Milk
Want to look fairer? Try this skin-lightening pack in which two tablespoons of red lentils, one teaspoon of almond oil, and one teaspoon of fresh milk are ground together. Use it at least thrice a week.
6. Red Lentils, Almond Oil, Glycerin, and Rose Water
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of soaked red lentils, one teaspoon of almond oil, one teaspoon of glycerin, and one teaspoon of fresh rose water. Use a smooth paste regularly to get soft, smooth, supple skin.
7. Red Lentils, Black Gram, Orange Peel, and Cucumber Juice
Ditch those acne and heat rashes with this super-effective face pack. Take red lentils and black gram 1 tablespoon of each. Add some dried orange peels and a tablespoon of cucumber juice to it. Make a fine paste of all the ingredients.
8. Red Lentils, Aloe Vera Gel, Tomato, and Ginger
For the overall health of your facial skin, prepare this pack by grinding two tablespoons of soaked red lentils, one tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel, one small diced tomato, and a 1-inch piece of ginger together. Use this face pack at least twice a week.
Red lentils can be ground into a fine, smooth powder and stored for future uses. Just make sure that you store it in a clean, dry, and air-tight container.
Read Also – 10 ‘Yummy’ Strawberry Face Packs to Get a Radiant Skin
4 Effective Red Lentil Body Scrubs for a Glowing Body
You can even take great care of the skin on the rest of your body by using a few easy-to-make red lentil body scrubs:
1. Red Lentils and Pure Ghee
Coarsely grind four tablespoons of red lentils and add two tablespoons of pureed ghee. Using this mixture as a body scrub can help you get rid of dead cells and nourish the underneath layer of the skin.
2. Red Lentils, Chickpea Flour, and Honey
Make a fine powder of dry red lentils. Add two tablespoons of chickpea flour and two tablespoons of honey to it. Exfoliate your body with this natural scrub thrice a week and get gleaming skin.
3. Red Lentils, Milk, and Almond
Take two tablespoons of raw milk. Add three tablespoons of red lentil powder and the skin of a few almonds to it. Mix well and use as a body as well as face scrub.
4. Red Lentils, Milk, Sandalwood, and Orange Peel
Pour three tablespoons of red lentil powder into two tablespoons of raw milk. Add equal amounts of orange peel powder and sandalwood powder to it. Blend everything to get an uneven mixture. Apply it to your skin to get rid of unwanted hair.
Read Also – 12 Best Body Scrubs in India to Achieve Satin-Smooth Skin
Summary:
Red lentils are one of the most popular lentils available around the world. Being highly nutritious, they are widely consumed in dals, curries, soups, and warm salads. They not only offer numerous health benefits but also take great care of our skin. From face packs to body scrubs, red lentils can be included in regular beauty regimen in different ways to get flawless facial and body skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can We Use Masoor Dal Face Pack Daily?
Masoor dal is a natural kitchen ingredient, so topical application does not risk your skin. Hence, you can use a masoor dal face pack daily.
Can I Eat Red Lentils every day?
Having one serving of red lentils daily is very good for your health. It will control your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure while strengthening your bones and immunity.
Does Masoor Dal Make Skin Fair?
Masoor dal cleanses, exfoliates, and naturally lightens our skin, eventually making it brighter and fairer.
What is Red Lentil Powder?
Red lentil powder or red lentil flour is prepared by roasting grown red split lentils and grinding them into a fine powder. It contains no additives.
Are There Any Side Effects of Masoor Dal?
Moderate consumption of masoor dal is safe for our health. However, if you have more than one serving a day, you may end up suffering from flatulence, kidney distress, potassium toxicity, etc.
References:
- “Polyphenol-Rich Lentils and Their Health Promoting Effects,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “What are the Benefits of Lentils?“, MedicalNewsToday.com
- “Lentils Significantly Reduce Blood Glucose Levels,” ScienceDaily.com
- “Lentils – The Nutrition Source,” hsph.Harvard.edu
