Natco Red Lentils is a brand that sells red lentils, also called masoor dal, available in the marketplace of the United Kingdom. It is a popular and easy to find ingredient for meals that can be easily prepared. These vegetables are edible seeds from the legume family and are very well known for their lens shape and sold with or without their outer husks intact. Although they are a common food staple in Asian and North African cuisines, the greatest production of this vegetable is in Canada at this present time. Fun fact, it is called lentils which means “lens” in Latin. That makes sense as the translation effectively discussed what this vegetable looks like. It has other types aside from red lentils which are split and great for making dal, with a sweet and nutty flavour. Aside from their flavour and availability, lentils are also nutritious with various nutrient and vitamin contents. They are inexpensive but they are packed with B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. More so, they are made up of 25% protein, which makes them an excellent alternative for meat. They are also great sources of iron which is a mineral that helps in making the blood healthy. A cup of cooked lentils of about 198 grams is estimated to have 230 calories, 39.9 grams of carbohydrates, 17.9 grams of protein, 15.6 grams of fibre, and 21% of the Reference Daily Intake of potassium. Aside from these, lentils are rich in polyphenols which are a great category of health-promoting phytochemicals. Some of the polyphenols present in lentils are procyanidin and flavanols which are known to have strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. A test-tube study found that lentils can inhibit the production of an inflammation-promoting molecule. In addition to this, when tested in the lab, the polyphenols in lentils were able to stop cancer cell growth, especially on cancerous skin cells. Aside from this, one animal study found that consuming lentils helped lower blood sugar levels and that the benefits were not solely due to the carb, protein, or fat content. Lentil Soup Ingredient 1 chopped onion ¼ cup olive oil 2 diced carrots 2 chopped stalks celery 2 minced cloves garlic 1 tsp dried oregano 1 bay leaf 14.5oz can crushed tomatoes 2 cups dry lentils 8 cups water ½ cup thinly sliced spinach 2 tbsp vinegar Salt to taste Ground black pepper (optional) Preparation In a large soup pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook and stir until the onion is tender. Stir in garlic, bay leaf, oregano, and basil. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in lentils and add water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for at least an hour. When ready to stir in spinach, cook until it wilts. Stir in vinegar, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add more vinegar if desired. Serve and enjoy.