Lectins are a toxic substance that plants make to prevent insects from eating them. They are lethal to some insects and apparently not that good for many people too.
Like many things there is probably a gradient scale of toerance to lectins. Some bodies probably have a much better tolerance to them and some are extrememly sensitive to them and do much better without them.
If you have unexplained stomach issues, here is some data from Dr Gundry that you may want to use as a basis for experimenting with your diet.
Lectins Cause Digestive System Damage
Some lectins can survive both heat and stomach acid.
Lectins stick to many types of cells.
Lectins strip away the mucosal lining of your gut making it suseptible to IBS, colitis, Crohn’s etc.
Lectins Punch Holes In Your Intestinal Walls
This acauses them to leak into your blood stream (laky gut).
Lectins Increase Appetite
Stick to cells that produce leptin, the hormone that signals satiety or fullness.
Lectins Damage Blood Vessels
This endothelial dysfunction leads to hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.
A 200 person study of people who cut out lectins showed that after 6 months there was:
A 72% decrease in endothelial dysfunction and
the markers of cardiovascular disease decreased in 100% of those in the study.
Mono and oligosaccharides prevent lectins from sticking to your cells.
Foods that contain lectins are:
Beans
Lentils
Peas
Peanuts
Soy Beans
All Soy Products
All Grains:
Wheat
Rice
Corn
Oats
Barley
Rye
All Nightshades:
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Eggplant
All Peppers
Almost All Tree Nuts
Most Seeds
Zuchini
Squash
Cucumbers
Melons
String Beans
Milk
Dairy Products
Eggs (most especially from grain fed chooks)
Watch Dr Gundry explain the subject here www.lectinblocker.com