Black Gram (Urad dal) - Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Black gram or Urad dal is widely utilised in India due to its high nutrient content and wide range of beneficial properties. It's equally useful as an ingredient in food and as a medicinal herb in Ayurveda practice. There are many positive effects on health.

The fibres in black gram aid in the bulking and passing of stools, hence enhancing digestion. As a result, it can be used to treat either diarrhoea or constipation. By increasing the amount of oxygenated blood reaching your organs, it increases your energy levels. As a result, your bones will be healthier and stronger as you age thanks to the boost in bone mineral density.

It's helpful for diabetics since it keeps blood sugar levels stable. It's beneficial to the skin and may aid in the elimination of scars, acne, and other blemishes. It's a diuretic that aids in keeping the body clean and reduces joint discomfort in addition to its other benefits. The health benefits of including black gram in your diet are substantial.

What is black gram or Urad dal?

The black gram, or Vinca mungo, is a member of the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family and native to South Asia. This well-known pulse is known by several other names, including urad, urid, black matpe, mash bean, and mash daal.

The black gram seed is long and skinny and typically looks like a cylindrical pod. The interior is white, but it's protected by a black hull. This legume can be purchased whole, cracked, or without its husk. The split variety, often known as "white lentil," consists of seeds that have naturally split open to reveal a black and white inside. The black gram is not a lentil, however.

The Indian subcontinent makes extensive usage of the gram known as black gram.  Because of the high nutrient content, it is an extremely important type of pulse in the Indian subcontinent. They're not widely available, but they're not hard to find either.

Cultivation of black gram:

Black gram is native to India and is widely cultivated throughout South Asia. It's not just called Urad dal, either. It's used to make staples like dals and curries, so it's a big deal in Indian cooking. It's also used to make bread in certain areas of the country.

In some parts of the country, you may buy it whole, whereas in others you have to buy it split open to see the white fleshy insides of the gram. It stands out from the crowd and can't be missed on store shelves. This gram variety is widely distributed throughout.

Nutritional value of black gram:

The protein content of black gram, also known as urad dal, is higher than that of other legumes. Dietary fibre, isoflavones,  iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B complex, potassium, zinc,  and phosphorus are all abundant in this food, and they all contribute to its remarkable recuperative powers.

Health benefits of black gram: 

Aids in digestion

Black gram's high fibre content is one of its most appealing health benefits. This encourages peristalsis, the contraction and relaxation of stomach muscles to push waste out, and increases the volume of faeces in the digestive tract.

Hence, black gram can be a useful addition to your diet if you're experiencing gastrointestinal problems including diarrhoea, constipation, cramping, or bloating. It also improves your body's ability to absorb nutrients.

Boosts energy

Black grams are excellent for boosting energy levels since they contain so much iron. Because it encourages the body to make more red blood cells, iron is a crucial nutrient. These cells supply oxygen to the rest of your body.

When oxygen is delivered to your organs in sufficient quantities and at the correct rates, you feel more energised. Fatigue, weakness, and even mental impairment are all indicators of anaemia, which can be avoided by eating iron-rich foods.

Increases bone density

Minerals including magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and calcium can be found in abundance in black gram. Each of these factors is important in determining your bone density. This is crucial because, as we get older, our bones naturally weaken, increasing our risk of fractures and diseases like osteoporosis. Bone health can be preserved with the support of a diet rich in minerals.

Benefits your skin's health

Almost every ayurvedic skin cure has black gram as an ingredient. Because of its high mineral and vitamin content, it helps soothe inflamed skin. Healing and exfoliating your skin are two additional benefits, as is the reduction of scarring and the elimination of blemishes and spots. Black gram is also useful for treating sunburns, reducing acne, and removing tans. Overall, the health of your skin will benefit greatly from eating this bean.

Positive effects on diabetes

One of the most important things you can do to keep your diabetes under control is to stick to the diet that has been established for you. Diabetics are generally advised to eat meals high in fibre since it aids in controlling the quantity of nutrients absorbed by the digestive tract. Because of this, it can aid in glucose and blood sugar maintenance, making diabetes much easier to deal with. It also keeps blood sugar from dropping too low or rising too quickly.

Alleviate discomfort,

Black gram has widespread application as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. It has a long history of usage in Ayurveda medicine for similar purposes. It can help speed up your metabolism because of its high vitamin and mineral content. It's also useful for reducing oxidative stress. Black gram can be ground into a paste and then administered topically to sore muscles and joints.

It's a laxative

Black gram has the added benefit of being a diuretic, which causes one to urinate more frequently. This allows the kidneys to excrete calcium as well as urea, water, fat, and excess dietary sodium. This means it's useful for avoiding kidney stones.

Great for cardiovascular health

The benefits of black gram for cardiovascular health are numerous. High levels of fibre, magnesium, and potassium provide it numerous health benefits, including protecting your heart. It's great for your heart health because it helps keep your cholesterol in check. It also helps stop atherosclerosis.

Potassium's relaxing effects on the body's blood vessel walls are well-documented, and the result is considerably reduced blood pressure. The magnesium in black gram has been shown to increase blood flow, which carries oxygen to all of your body's cells. All of these factors contribute to maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.

Is Urad Dal Good for Gaining or Losing Weight?

Black gram may help with both gaining and losing weight, according to two competing hypotheses. Although some medical professionals are under the impression that it can aid in weight gain, others are confident in its ability to aid in fat loss.

Black Gram  for weight gain:

Urad dal was used in traditional medicine because it was thought to aid in gaining weight. It's common knowledge that having a low body mass index puts a person at risk for health problems. Overweight women are more likely to develop bone cancer, osteoporosis, and other bone-related illnesses, whereas overweight men suffer from low libido, low semen volume, and lung infections. Dry skin, wrinkles, arthritis, fragile bones, etc. are only some of the side effects of being underweight.

If you desire to gain weight, an Ayurvedic practitioner may recommend a programme called Brimhana Therapy. Black gram meals and urad dal oil massages will be prescribed as part of this therapy plan. Natural weight gain, improved immunity, and strengthened muscles and tissues are all side effects of this medication.

If you want to see improvements, you should try to get this therapy at least once a week for three months.

Black Gram For Weight Loss:

Interestingly enough, Urad dal also aids in weight loss. There are 7.4 grams of protein, 100 calories, and 3.5 grams of fibre in 30 grams of raw black gram Fiber can help you feel full for longer, allowing you to consume less calories while still being able to control your hunger.

Urad dal breakfast meals help stave off midday hunger and keep you feeling full for longer.

Black Gram for healthy hair and skin:

The many advantages of black gram are not limited to the realm of health and nutrition; it may also be used to improve the condition of one's skin and hair. These little black beans have been a staple in beauty routines for ages, used on everything from skin to hair.

Urad dal is a great exfoliant for the skin. In addition to cleaning the skin of dirt and dead cells, it also leaves it feeling smooth and supple. Scrub your skin clean with a mixture made from ground soaked urad dal and milk. Use a gentle circular motion and leave it on your face for 30 minutes. You should clean it in warm water. Furthermore, refresh your skin with these homemade scrubs.

Black gram acts as a natural whitening agent and reduces the darkness of the skin. Black gram dal, which is rich in nutrients, can be used to achieve a smooth and youthful appearance of the skin if applied regularly. To make a paste, combine one teaspoon of soaked urad dal with one teaspoon of badam. Use it as a face pack twice a week to even out your skin tone.

Urad dal, a miracle food that can cool the body from within, is great for reducing the effects of sun tanning. Use a paste made from urad dal and fresh curd on your face and other sun-damaged regions. After 30 minutes, you should rinse it with cold water.

Black gram, a powerhouse of antibacterial characteristics, aids in skin regeneration and is useful in the fight against acne. Acne scars can be eliminated and clear skin can be preserved with regular applications of urad dal paste. Dosa or idli batter has a calming effect on the skin when applied to minor burns.

If your hair is lifeless and frizzy, try a ladleful of urad dal paste blended with little curd. Smooth and silky hair can be yours with just a little application to the roots and a wash with a milk shampoo.

Uses of black gram:

In Indian cuisine, black gram is a common ingredient. Dals, soups, curries, stews, and sides can all be prepared with it. Acne and other skin issues can be treated with DIY face packs using black gram. Due to its wide range of beneficial effects, it finds widespread application in Ayurveda medicine. The high fibre content of black gram makes it useful.

Side effects of black gram (Urad Dal)

Consuming large quantities of black gram can lead to an unhealthy rise in blood urea levels. This can lead to an increase in kidney stone formation. Very high doses of black gram, despite its reputation for preventing the same thing you wish to avoid, can instead cause that very thing.

Gallstones and gout are two more complications. If you want to avoid unpleasant side effects, consult your doctor before introducing any major changes to your diet or routine.