Saturday 03/January/2026 – 04:24 PM
The harmful effects of lentils occur in some people who suffer from allergies to legumes, and despite the benefits of all kinds of lentils and their use in many winter recipes, the most important of which is lentil soup with carrots, it is necessary to clarify the harmful effects of lentils, and monitor the groups that are prohibited from eating them. This is shocking news for vegetarians, but it is something that is inevitable to know in order to preserve public health.
Harmful effects of lentils
We present the harms of lentils based on the inclusion of this ingredient in many recipes, such as koshari, soups, mujaddara, and other foods in which lentils are mainly used. However, eating it in some individuals may cause them serious health problems, and excessive consumption of lentils in healthy people also causes potential harm.
According to the Eat This Not That website report, lentils are low in fat and rich in protein and fiber, but like other legumes, they contain a protein called lectins, which is associated with the digestive system and can lead to many toxic reactions, such as diarrhea and vomiting, and eating undercooked lentils leads to serious allergic reactions due to lectins.
Medical studies have proven that lentils and all raw legumes are responsible for about 20% of all cases of food poisoning worldwide. Eating raw lentils can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Some lectins, such as wheat germ agglutinin, which is mainly found in wheat, are dangerous substances and cause health problems, such as the inability to properly absorb vitamins and minerals, food allergies, and arthritis.
The harmful effects of lentils on the colon
Among the categories prohibited from eating lentils are people who suffer from intestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, or autoimmune conditions such as Crohn’s or Hashimoto’s disease. However, studies have found that lectins, which are the basis of the harmful effects of lentils, are sensitive to heat, and when they are cooked they decompose, which makes lentils safe in this case.
In addition to lectins, lentils may also be harmful because they contain lysine, which is an essential amino acid. Eating too much of it leads to the formation of gallstones, increases cholesterol levels, and affects kidney function. Experts also confirm that consuming very high doses of lysine may lead to disorders in the stomach and the entire digestive system.
People who are allergic to peanuts are also prohibited from eating lentils, as lentils belong to the same family as beans and peanuts and are classified as legumes, knowing that lentils also contain anti-nutrients, such as trypsin inhibitors and phytic acid, which prevent the absorption of some nutrients, proteins and amino acids.
Lentils contain phytates, which are compounds that prevent the minerals in food from being absorbed into the body. Phytates also interfere with the work of enzymes necessary for the digestive process. To reduce the damage caused by lentils in this part, the lentils can be soaked and cooked properly. It is also recommended to eat them in moderation because they contain a high percentage of fiber that may cause bloating and gases in the colon.
The effects of lentils on the kidneys
Among the harmful effects of lentils that some housewives may not notice is what is achieved by adding strong spices to lentils to give them a distinctive flavour. However, these spices cause indigestion in some people, and excessive consumption of lentils causes high blood potassium and the appearance of symptoms of vomiting, fatigue, irregular heartbeat and difficulty breathing in people who suffer from weak kidney function.
