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World-Wire.com, 6 Nov, 2009
Pulses offer improved sustainability in the field and on the
plate
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada, November 6, 2009: The Canadian pulse
industry today released a white paper on the benefits of using pulses
– beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas - as a food ingredient
that provides nutritional and health benefits and contributes to
environmental sustainability. `Give Peas a Chance – The case
for more pulses in the field and on the plate’ shows how using
pulses can improve the nutritional profile of food products and
reduce the carbon footprint of the food produced.
“Food manufacturers and retailers are not only looking for
healthy and nutritious products, they also wants to know the environmental
story of the food they are producing and marketing,” says Gordon
Bacon, CEO of Pulse Canada. “Pulses have a great story to tell
as they offer both sustainability in the field and positive nutritional
results on the plate.”
The health benefits of pulses are plentiful. Higher in protein
than most other crops, pulses are low in fat and they have a low
glycemic index, which means their carbohydrates are mostly fibre
and starch that prevent blood sugars from rising quickly after eating.
Clinical trials have shown that eating pulses are not only nutritionally
beneficial, they provide excellent health benefits and can even
help combat chronic health concerns such as diabetes, heart disease
and obesity.
Pulses are also an environment-friendly crop. As a member of the
‘legume’ family, they have a symbiotic relationship with
soil organisms, which allows them to make their own nitrogen fertilizer
from the atmosphere. By producing their own fertilizer, this reduces
the need for manufactured nitrogen made from fossil fuels.
With consumer demand for healthy and environmentally sustainable
products increasing, the global food industry is looking for solutions.
Pulses can be part of the solution with their combined health and
environmental benefits. The pulse white paper `Give Peas a Chance
– The case for more pulses in the field and on the plate’,
outlines the opportunities and is available online at www.pulsecanada.com/givepeasachance.
“The message is very simple,” says Bacon. “If more
pulses are eaten, more will be grown and that’s great news
for health and for the environment.”
Pulse Canada is the national association representing pulse growers,
processors and traders. Direction and funding is provided by Alberta
Pulse Growers Commission, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Manitoba Pulse
Growers Association, the Ontario Bean Producers Marketing Board,
Ontario Coloured Bean Growers and the Canadian Special Crops Association
(CSCA). Over the last 20 years, Canada’s pulse industry has
become a world leader in pulse production, research and exports.
Today, Canada is the world’s largest exporter, selling to more
than 150 countries around the globe, and one of the world’s
largest pulse producers.
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