Black Gram, also known as “Urad Dal,” are pulses that, although commonly called lentils, are actually related to cowpeas and mung beans. They originated in India, where they are still an important culinary ingredient, used in popular dishes such as dal makhani, dosa and papadum.

• About 1/4 inch in length, oval-shaped and black with a white speck on one side
• Urad Dal is commonly sold whole, as well as split and even split and peeled, which exposes its creamy white interior
• A rich source of protein

Introduction:
Urad dal, scientifically called Vigna mungo, is a lentil most commonly used in South Indian households. It is also called Urd bean, Urad bean, Black lentil, Black matpe bean, and Mungo bean in English, and Urad dal in Hindi. Vigna mungo seeds are mainly a staple food, and the dehulled and split seeds (dhal in Hindi) are a typical dish in South Asia. It can be found in Asia, Madagascar, and Africa too.1Vigna mungo is a hairy and bushy, annual plant which has an elaborate taproot. The stem is highly branched from the base. The plant is cultivated for its edible seeds in tropical countries, especially in Asia.2

Nutritional Value of Urad Dal:
Black gram split (urad dal) and whole urad dal have tremendous nutritional value. Urad dal is a good source of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, iron, and calcium. In addition, whole urad has dietary fibre, whereas urad dal (split urad) does not contain fibre. Among the phytochemicals, prominent phytochemicals present in urad dal are flavonoids and phenolic compounds.\

Potential Uses of Urad dal for Heart diseases:

Regularly eating urad dal with a low-fat diet may help maintain lipid homeostasis (balance). As a result, it may help reduce the risk of heart diseases. Agents responsible for this heart-friendly property of Urad dal are fibre, low glycemic index, and minor components like saponins, phytosterols and oligosaccharides.⁶ Also, the lipids in black gram may show cholesterol-lowering effects in humans.⁸  If you are suffering from heart disease, make sure you talk to your healthcare provider before using urad dal for its properties.

Potential Uses of Urad dal for Diabetes:

Urad dal has a low glycemic index (increases blood glucose levels slowly). Along with a low glycemic index, it also has a high content of indigestible fibre, making it an excellent candidate for maintaining blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. Also, black gram may help prevent insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes. Hence, black grams may be consumed to avoid type 2 diabetes.⁶ However, diabetes is a severe health condition which requires you to strictly adhere to the doctor’s advice. Avoid using urad dal or any herbal remedy to manage your symptoms without consulting a doctor first.

Potential Uses of Urad dal for Obesity:

The presence of lipids, proteins and fats lends black grams high nutritional value. In addition, black grams may help maintain healthy body weight by providing early satiety due to its high fibre content, limiting overall food consumption.⁶ However, if you are looking to reduce or manage weight, you can reach out to a dietician or nutritionist as they will be able to better guide you about the benefits and limitations of each diet.

Potential Uses of Urad dal as a Prebiotic:

Prebiotics are indigestible foods beneficial in stimulating the growth of helpful intestinal bacteria and improving overall gut health. Black grams are a good source of prebiotics. Consuming black grams (whole) may provide prebiotic health benefits and might be regarded as potential functional food.⁹

Potential Uses of Urad dal as an Antioxidant:

In excess, reactive oxygen species (ROS) can damage cells like proteins, lipids, and DNA, resulting in conditions like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and atherosclerosis. Black grams are rich in polyphenols, which possess antioxidant properties. Polyphenols may prevent cellular damage caused by the presence of excessive ROS and thus protect from diseases caused by long-term and chronic inflammation.¹⁰

Potential Uses of Urad dal in Liver and Kidney diseases:

Urad dal may show liver protective and kidney protective properties. These properties might be due to components like phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, and phytic acid in urad. These components are potent antioxidants which may show a protective effect on the liver and kidney.¹¹ However, if you are suffering from kidney or liver disease, you need to consult your healthcare provider before using urad dal or any other herbal remedy for kidney or liver problems.

Though studies show the benefits of the urad dal in various conditions, these are insufficient, and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of urad dal on human health.