The King’s College London professor says there are a lot of benefits to be had from eating peas, as he appeared on BBC Morning Live today to discuss why people should be eating more protein
Professor Tim Spector has recommended Brits to fill their freezers with a protein-packed veggie that could help tackle inflammation and keep the pounds off. The King’s College London professor and founder of the Zoe health app, dished out his advice on BBC’s Morning Live while addressing concerns about protein intake.
With the cost of meat soaring and health worries over high meat consumption, Prof Spector suggested a surprisingly simple yet nutritious swap. He championed the humble frozen pea, often overlooked as a ‘health food’, highlighting its myriad of benefits for maintaining good health.
While whipping up some pea pancakes, he explained: “Most people don’t think of frozen peas as a health food. It’s a good alternative to protein from meat.”
He continued, “Your gut produces all these chemicals that are key for your immune system, key for your brain, they stop you getting depressed, keep your metabolism under control, control your weight, stop you getting hungry. So the more your microbes get to eat, the more chemicals they can produce, the healthier you are. Forget this five a day, what you need is 30 a week.”
Green peas are packed with soluble fibre, something that around 90 per cent of Brits don’t consume enough of. This nutrient is linked to reduced intestinal inflammation and a healthier gut lining.
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine reveals that one cup of frozen peas also contains about eight grams of plant-based protein. Most adults require approximately 0.75g of protein per kilo of body weight daily (for the average woman, this equates to 45g, or 55g for men).
This translates to roughly two portions of meat, fish, nuts or tofu each day. Peas’ anti-inflammatory nutrients have also been linked to a decreased risk of inflammatory conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
