7 Health Benefits of Split Pea Soup-Nutritional Value

The health benefits of split pea soup are countless. It’s one of the superfoods that is rich in fiber, protein, and minerals. For every 350 calories, peas have only one gram of fat. Split pea has the highest amounts of dietary fiber as a natural food source.

Split peas were an essential part of human’s diet since the prehistoric times! Archaeologists have found peas in the old digs of Egypt, Asia, and Rome.

One should not confuse split peas with split yellow gram (chickpeas) or split pigeon peas. All these peas are not the same even though they all belong to the family of beans and legumes.

Split peas are of green and yellow colors. They have an outer skin that is removed or split into half naturally. [1]

This article reviews the nutrient facts, health benefits, and possible side effects of split peas.

Split Pea Nutrient Benefits

Split Peas contain the following nutritional values that benefit your body a lot.

1. Split Peas are High in Dietary Fiber.

Dietary fiber in split pea soup may keep you full without adding anything to your calorie content. It adds bulk to your food which is very good for digestion and will benefit your heart. It removes cholesterol from your body, keeping your blood cholesterol in check. [2]

Only 1 cup serving of split peas contains around 17% of your daily recommended fiber intake. Remember to check the fiber content of peas while buying them. Some canned peas have more fibers than others.

2. They are High in Potassium.

Potassium is an essential mineral required for your body. Split pea soup will help to meet that potassium limit.

Potassium supports your metabolism but activating enzymes. [3] Potassium dissolved in your blood, and other fluids help to control your blood pressure. It is also important for the proper functioning of the nervous system.

Drink 1 cup of split pea soup per day to meet 7 percent of your daily potassium intake.

3. Split Peas are High in Vitamin K.

Split pea soup also contains vitamin K. Vitamin k is essential for your immune system. It helps the body to respond to injury. [4]

Vitamin K helps to activate enzymes responsible for triggering blood clot formation. Thus, it protects you from blood loss. Without blood clots, there would be the risk of severe blood loss even from minor wounds.

You can get around 15-20% of vitamin K by having 1 cup of canned split pea soup. Men are recommended a daily intake of 15% vitamin K and women 20%.

Split pea is also full of other vitamins like Vitamin A, B-1, B-6, and C. It would not be wrong to call them a Vitamin powerhouse!

4. They are Rich in Protein.

Split peas are rich in protein but low in fat. Most people get their daily required protein from eggs and meat. But, a 1/2 cup cooked peas contain 8 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of total fat.

According to Vegan Liftz, people in the UK consume over 9,000 peas per year. If you’re a vegetarian and looking for a good protein source, you can rely on split peas to improve your health.

7 Health Benefits of Split Pea Soup

If you want to know the benefits of split pea soup, then keep on reading!

1. Split Pea Soup May Keep Your Heart Healthy

Split pea soups help to prevent cardiovascular disease. It reduces the plaque in your blood vessels and lowers your blood cholesterol levels. The soluble fibers in this food are perfect for keeping your heart healthy. It reduces the risk of having heart disease.

High blood pressure or hypertension leads to heart disease. The potassium in split peas lowers the blood pressure. [3]

It also produces serotonin, which is useful in improving your mood and sleep!

2. It Can Lower Cholesterol Levels

Dietary fibers are an essential part of your diet. Fiber is useful in reducing your blood cholesterol levels.

Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) is very harmful and known as ‘bad cholesterol.’ Fiber can lower the LDL. [5]

The fiber from split peas forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract. So, it binds the cholesterol-containing bile and carries it out of the body.

Including split peas in your daily diet can provide approximately 65% of the daily recommended value of fiber in your food.

3. Split Pea Soup May Control Your Blood Sugar Levels

The high fiber content of split peas helps regulate blood sugar levels. So it is an excellent food for people with diabetes. [5]

Split peas have soluble fiber which carries out a vital task. It can absorb sugar and release the glucose very slowly into the bloodstream. This ensures that the blood sugar level never rises too much.

It also provides a steady supply of energy over time. It is perfect for people with diabetes.

4. It May Help Weight Loss

Split peas are very rich in fiber and protein content. They can be helpful if you are trying to lose weight. A small part of split pea soup can last for a very long time. It makes you feel having a full stomach for a very long time. [5]

It is full of nutrition like Vitamins and minerals. It is completely fat-free. Vegetarians and vegans can use this as an excellent source of protein.

It has many complex carbohydrates which provide energy but is very low in calorie count. You can also add split peas to your salads, soup, and even burgers and enjoy their health benefits!

5. Split Pea Soup for Sulfite Sensitivity

Some people are sensitive to sulfites. It is a rare condition. Sulfite is not used on fresh foods, but they can come in some processed or cooked food. It works as a preservative in baked goods, vinegar, beer or wine.

People insensitive to sulfites experience symptoms like rapid heartbeat, headache, nausea. You should avoid foods which might contain sulfides. People with asthma are more affected by sulfites. [6]

But split pea soup can be helpful in the detoxification of sulfites. Split pea soup contains minerals which can remove the toxicity of sulfites.

6. It Can Help in Digestion

The high fiber content of split peas is amazing in dealing with digestive disorders. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is discomfort or pain in the belly. [7]

The trouble with bowel movements can be severe. Sometimes other colon conditions can occur in people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Split peas are helpful in dealing with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

The insoluble fiber content in split peas works as a bulking agent. It also makes bowel movement more natural.

7. Split Pea Soup May Lower the Risk of Cancer

Isoflavones can prevent heart disease and breast cancer. Isoflavones mimic the hormones of your body, and it is a type of plant estrogens. You should take it in minimal amounts.

Split peas contain isoflavones. Isoflavones are very good at reducing hot flashes. Hot flashes are known as one of the common symptoms of menopause or perimenopause. It is also prevalent in women who have removed their ovaries or have menopause after chemotherapy.

Split pea soup will help to lower the risk of cancer. [8] [9]

Possible Side Effects

There are some things which you should consider while taking Split pea soup. Split pea soup contains sodium. Sometimes in canned food, the sodium content is more to enhance the taste and prolong the expiry date.

If you drink a large amount of split pea soup, then the sodium in the peas may increase blood pressure and cause cardiovascular disease.

While buying canned split peas, consider the sodium content of the can. Some brands of canned split peas contain more sodium than others. So checking the nutrition level while purchasing the peas can be helpful.

How to Make Split Pea Soup

Split pea soup is full of nutrition and is also very tasty. We have an easy recipe for you to try at home!

This soup will serve 6 people.

A simple recipe of healthy split pea soup:

To make this soup, you will need split peas, olive oil, onion, celery, carrots, garlic, potatoes, chicken broth, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
In a large pot, take 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat it. Take 2 ribs celery, 1 small onion, 2 medium-sized peeled carrots and dice them.
Then take 2 cloves of garlic and mince them. Add all the above in the hot oil and sauté until all the vegetables are soft. Five minutes should be enough for the vegetable to soften.
To the vegetables add 10 cups of water or chicken broth. Take 2 medium potatoes, peel and dice them. Add the potatoes, 1 cup split peas and 2 bay leaves. Add some salt and pepper to the soup according to your taste.
If you don’t like the all-vegetable soup, then you can add pieces of chicken without the bones. Boil the chicken with a bit of salt and add the boneless meat to the broth.
Keep on cooking the soup at a medium flame for about 40 minutes. Let it simmer until the peas have turned very soft and lose their shape. That will leave you with a very think soup.
If you like Tabasco, then you can add a few drops in the soup for taste.