How Effective is Horse Gram for Weight Loss? – Uses, Benefits and Recipes

Do you know about the exceptional benefits of the magic pulse, Horse gram? Horse Gram, or Kulthi dal, is an amazing superfood and a staple item preferred by people in South India. Known for its phenomenal benefits and high nutritional values, the horse gram still has lesser fame compared to its counterparts, such as the green gram or the black gram. 

If you are aiming at healthy weight loss without compromising on high nutritional intake, horse gram is a must-include ingredient in your meals. The ingredient boosts the fat-burning process in the body and also helps improve overall bodily health. We’ve also listed various ways of incorporating horse gram into your meals to embrace delectable flavors. 

So, let’s take a detailed overview of horse gram, the ultimate superfood for better health and vitality!

What Does Horse Gram Mean?

Horse Gram has its origin in the legume family and is a dark brown color. It has a round shape, and its advantages have even been etched in Ayurveda for centuries. Apart from accelerating your weight loss journey, Horse Gram is also effective in treating various diseases and imparts essential nutritional support to the body. Its regular intake is highly recommendable. 

The other name for Horse gram is ‘Macrotyloma Uniflorum’. It also has regional recognition in India with terms like Kollu, Kulthi Dal, Kolatha, Hurule, Kudu, and Muthira. Horse gram has its origin in South-Eastern Asia or Tropical Africa and belongs to the family of Fabaceae. 

Nutritional Value in Horse Gram

Packed with a high proportion of proteins and fiber, Horse Gram is an effective remedy for weight loss. Here’s a detailed extract on the exact nutritional content per 100g of horse gram. 

• Protein- 22 g
• Calcium-287 g
• Iron- 7 mg
• Carbs- 57 g
• Fiber- 5.3 g
• Fat- 0.5 g
• Phosphorous- 0.39 g
• Carotene- 11.9 IU
• Vitamin B- 0.42 IU
• Minerals- 3 g
• Calories- 321 Kcal

What are the Main Health Benefits of Horse Gram?

Packed with the power of essential nutrients, proteins, and fiber, horse gram keeps you fuller for a long time and supports the weight loss process. It aids in the prevention of multiple health conditions and boosts overall well-being. Here’s more to it: 

• Lowers Blood Sugar Levels: When you soak and consume the sprouted horse grams, it helps manage the body’s insulin resistance. Intake of these grams also improves digestive health, and Kuthi is also effective in reversing type 2 diabetes. Balanced blood sugar levels can prevent you from long-term ailments like diabetes or blood pressure issues. 
• Good for Gut: Many people experience constipation or digestion due to unhealthy eating habits or low water intake. Horse Gram helps manage nutritional deficiencies and treat issues related to digestive health or constipation. 
• Aids in Losing Weight: Kulthi dal or horse gram can work wonders for the weight loss process. It helps in weight management and shedding kilos when consumed regularly. Add a pinch of cumin powder to the kulthi dal and await the desired outcomes. Horse gram is low in carbohydrates and rich in fiber as well as protein. It can cut down on bad cholesterol and support good cholesterol, thus eliminating obesity concerns. 
• Soothes Menstrual Discomfort: Horse gram can also benefit women coping with different types of menstrual issues, such as bodily cramps, heavy or irregular bleeding, and discomfort. Its iron content balances the hemoglobin levels and provides relief from menstrual problems. 
• Helps in Treating Kidney Stones: Kidney stones are small granules or particles made of oxalate and calcium. Horse Gram intake fuels your body with the required punch of antioxidants and iron through its polyphenol content, which eliminates kidney stones. Retrieve the utmost benefit of horse gram by soaking it overnight and having it for breakfast. 
• Boost Liver Health: Horse Gram also contains a large number of antioxidants, such as proteins, flavonoids, and polyphenols, which aid in better liver function. Its hepatoprotective effect on the body enhances liver functioning considerably. 
• Purifies Blood: Horse gram is immensely helpful in purifying blood and offering protection from chemicals that cause blood toxification. 
• Helps in Treating Cough or Cold: If you are struggling with chest congestion, mild fever, or a running nose, just have a bowl of hot horse gram soup and experience relief. It also aids in improving metabolism and offering better immunity health.
• Treats Skin Disorders: Horse Gram is also helpful in dealing with various skin problems like pimples, rashes, and boils. The application of homemade horse gram paste can trigger collagen synthesis in the skin and revive the dead cells. It also offers skin protection from all types of damage. The rich antibacterial, astringent, and antimicrobial properties of these legumes offer better skin nourishment and relief from all types of skin disorders or infections. 
• Better Digestion: Horse Gram is also helpful in improving digestive health and reducing problems like indigestion, flatulence, and intestinal worms. Intake of Kulthi dal can also provide relief from peptic ulcers or stomach irritation. 

Horse grams are also rich in calcium, iron, and phosphorous content, which boosts overall reproductive health, strengthens bones, and makes you stronger from within. 

Ways to Include Horse Gram into Your Diet!

With so many amazing benefits, including weight loss, horse gram is a must-include legume in your daily regime. Right from consuming it in the sprouted form to making topical paste or making dal or soups, there are multiple ways of using horse grams, as stated below:

• Horse Gram Paste: Soak a small bowl of horse grams in half a cup of water and leave it for 12 hours. Now, grind the soaked grams into the mixer until they form a fine paste used for topical application. Apply it on the skin and see the positive effect with its regular use.
• Stew and Soups: A popular way of adding horse gram to your meals is by consuming them in the form of stew or soups. It enhances the flavor while keeping the nutritional quotient intact. Horse Grams is a perfect pick for enjoying a wholesome meal. 
• Sprouted Horse Gram Salads: Soaking and sprouting horse grams can help in extracting their maximum nutritional values and amplify your weight loss journey. Enjoy it in healthy salads or cherish its crunch with other add-ons like bell peppers, tomatoes, and cucumber. 
• Horse Gram Idli/Dosa: Using the Kulthi in idli or dosa batter is a great breakfast option. It offers the perfect blend of taste and nutrition in one go. 

Side-Effects of Overconsumption

Moderation is key to everything, and excessive intake of horse gram can result in issues such as: 

• Increase of uric acid resulting in joint or gout pain. 
• Horse gram is high in fiber, and excessive intake may lead to digestive issues or flatulence. 
• Few people might be allergic to horse grams and may develop allergies even with a small amount intake. 
• Too many legumes lead to excess carbohydrates, causing gas or bloating problems. 

If a woman is pregnant, then do not consume horse grams without the doctor’s consultation. Anyone with an existing medical condition like bleeding problems or anemia must also not consume horse gram without expert supervision.

The Bottom Line

We hope you’ve had a complete idea of how healthy and beneficial horse gram is for your health. Its role in promoting weight loss or improving heart health can be spectacular. The horse gram is indeed a powerhouse of nutrients, minerals, and proteins. Pep it in diverse ways, such as curries, stir-fries, or soups, to enjoy most of it. 

There are unlimited benefits of including horse gram in your meals, as its unique flavors can help you achieve your weight loss goals and requirements. It is a perfect nutrient-rich legume that can keep you low on calories and high on energy levels throughout the day. In short, it is a perfect addition to your weight-loss diet plan!

Pin this post for your reference, and keep coming back for more informative health-related blogs. Thanks for reading!