Legumes, also known as pulses, are a group of plant foods that includes beans, peas and lentils. Legumes contain a lot of fiber, minerals and protein. Replacing some refined grains and processed meats in your diet with legumes can lower your risk of heart disease. A review of studies showed that eating a 1/2 cup (100 grams) of legumes per day is effective at lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol compared to not eating legumes.
