Bengal gram, closely related to the chickpea family, is a yellow lentil, rounded on one side and flat on the other. Bengal gram is one of the earliest cultivated legumes. In Indian cuisine, it is popularly known as Chana Dal. Bengal gram seeds are small and dark and have a rough coat.

Benefits:

• Bengal gram has a good amount of iron, sodium, selenium and a small amount of copper, zinc, and manganese. They are a rich source of protein.
• They are also a very good source of folic acid and fiber and contain phytochemicals called saponins, which can act as antioxidants.