While some children may wince at the thought of eating peas, they are nutritious and provide a variety of vitamins and minerals. Peas are rich in vitamin K, making them a particularly beneficial dietary component if you need more vitamin K in your diet.
Peas
Peas are widely available in many different forms. You can find sugar snap peas, which can be eaten raw with the peas in the pod, in the produce section of your grocery store. Green peas are also available pre-shelled frozen, canned, and sometimes dried. Freshly frozen peas do not lose their nutritional value, making them a good option during the off-season. Peas are used in a variety of cuisines, from Italian to Indian and other Asian foods.
Vitamin K Function
You need vitamin K in your body to help your blood coagulate -- or form blood clots -- properly. It is also important in the processes of bone mineralization and cell growth, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Normally, your intestines make about half of the vitamin K your body needs, while you get the rest through your diet. Vitamin K is commonly found in a wide variety of foods, including green leafy vegetables and vegetable oils.
Vitamin K Content
A one-cup serving of raw, green peas contains 36 mcg of vitamin K. Since your body produces vitamin K, the Food and Nutrition Board has not established a recommended daily intake. However, the adequate intake -- or AI -- established by the FNB is 120 mcg for men and 90 mcg for women. This means that one cup of peas provides just over a third of women's daily AI and about a fourth of men's AI.
Other Nutrients
Peas are not just good sources of vitamin K, but they also contain concentrations of other vitamins and minerals. One cup of peas contains 157 mg of phosphorus, about a sixth of your daily recommended intake. They are also high in potassium, with 354 mg in one cup. Green peas are also a good source of the antioxidants vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene and leutine. Since they are high in nutrients and fiber but low in fat and cholesterol, they are a good addition to your diet.
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