Blending pulses with or without the digestive supplement galactosidase can increase appetite instead of lowering it, according to a new study.
Pulses are a group of legumes that include lentils, pinto beans, kidney beans and dried peas, among other varieties used as dried seeds.
The study, published online before print in the December edition of The Journal of Nutrition, said the blending of lentils actually increased appetite but not glycemic response when compared to whole lentils.
The meals consumed by study participants with and without galactosidase (used as a digestive supplement to reduce intestinal discomfort) did not vary. Variables were impacted with whole versus blended lentils.
The lowering of appetite and GI responses is attributed to the length of time needed to digest the pulses in either whole or blended forms.
Subjects of both genders ate breakfast meals of either blended, non-blended or no lentils in a randomized, crossover and double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
The study concluded that blended lentils increased appetite, but not glycemic response compared to whole lentils.