Nutritional benefits of pigeonpea

Abstract

Pigeonpea is a rich source of food proteins that is generally grown under risk-prone marginal lands. It occupies an important place among pulses and has been rated the best as far as its biological value is concerned. It has been recommended for a balanced diet with cereals, especially to fill in the nutritional gap for proteins among the poorer section in developing economies that cannot afford a nonvegetarian diet. At present, the protein availability in developing countries is about one third of normal requirements, and with ever-growing population, various nutritional development programs are facing a tough challenge to meet the protein demand. In general, pigeonpea can be grown both as annual crop or perennial plants in homestead and is consumed either as decorticated splits or green seeds as vegetables. It has been found that vegetable pigeonpea is considered superior to dry splits in crude fiber, fat, protein digestibility, as well as trace elements and minerals. Besides its nutritional value, pigeonpea also possesses various medicinal properties due to the presence of a number of polyphenols and flavonoids. It is an integral part of traditional folk medicine in India, China, and some other nations. Pigeonpea is known to prevent and cure human ailments like bronchitis, coughs, pneumonia, respiratory infections, pain, dysentery, menstrual disorders, curing sores, wounds, abdominal tumors, and diabetes in traditional folk medicine.