Cereals are grasses belonging to the Poaceae family. They are extremely rich in their carbohydrate content and are mass-produced across many countries. Pulses, on the other hand, are leguminous crops responsible for producing pods. They have a highly rich protein content, however, are produced in lesser quantities than cereals.

Grains

Grown by humans and consumed by both humans and animals, both cereals and pulses classify under grains, are small and dry, resembling a hard seed in terms of how they look. These are widely consumed in countries across the world owing to their high nutritional value. China is the number one country in the world that produces the highest number of cereals. India is the top consumer, producer, and importer when it comes to pulses.

Cereal

Classified as grains, cereals are grass that comes under the Poaceae family. They are rich in oils, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals, which is the reason behind cereals being produced in large quantities. Cereals do not contain a high amount of calcium, vitamin A or carbohydrates; regardless they are the staple food in many countries across the world. It is a particular type of crop that looks exactly like a type of grass cultivated or grown for the edible components of its grain which are botanical, a type of fruit commonly called a caryopsis, which is composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran. When the cereals are processed by the removal of the bran, and germ, the remaining endosperm that is available to consume is mostly carbohydrates.

Importance of Cereals

Regardless of the high energy value and carbohydrate content cereals have, their production cost is really low when compared to other food items in the market. Additionally, the fact that cereals can be stored and kept intact for a really long time only increases its value.

Production of cereals in large scale is dependent on various factors like the climate, condition of the soil, geographic location of the country and more. Climate plays a major factor in the cultivation of cereals; for example, while wheat can grow on various kinds of soil except for cold deserts, barley can be cultivated in soil that is less fertile and more barren. Most cereals are consumed by humans, sold in their raw forms for consumption, used as ingredients in manufacturing other food products or used as animal feed for cattle or poultry.

Cereals also have industrial application- they are often used in the production of certain types of alcohol, oils, adhesives, glucose, biofuels and more.

Pulses

Grain legumes or often terms as dry seeds, pulses, are produced lesser in quantity than cereals but have a high value of proteins, iron, vitamins, amino acids, and fibers. The family of pulses consist of 12 kinds of crops that include chickpeas, lentils, dry beans, dry peas, cowpeas, vetches, dry broad beans, pigeon peas, Bambara beans, etc. These are a type of leguminous crop that is harvested solely for the purpose of obtaining dry seed. For example, Dried beans, lentils, and peas are the most commonly known and consumed types of pulses. Pulses generally do not include crops that are harvested green in color like green peas, green beans, etc. because those specific types of crops are classified as vegetable crops.

Importance of Pulses

Pulses are available in a variety of forms including broad beans, kidney beans, butter beans, lima beans and more- some of which are in the form of a variety of seeds. Their high nutrient value and protein-rich quality make them a good option as an alternative diet, especially in cases where there is a lack of protein intake like dairy products, eggs or meat.

Additionally, pulses are really important when it comes to lowering cholesterol levels or controlling blood sugar levels due to their rich fibre and low-fat content. They also help in combating obesity, diabetes and heart issues; this is another reason why regular pulse intake is advised by dieticians and medical practitioners across the world.

Pulses are economically important too. Certain countries mass-produce pulses; in which case it not only adds value to the farmers who cultivate pulses but also to the overall economy by balancing the import-export factor and bringing about both financial stability and food availability.

Also, pulses are leguminous crops, which means they can use the parasitic microorganisms in their roots to absorb the nitrogen present in the atmosphere. This ability to fix the nitrogen content also comes in handy to increase the fertility levels of the soil, in turn, increasing the productivity level of the area and also helping to promote biodiversity. Naturally, this nitrogen-fixing ability also helps in maintaining the overall health of the environment since the use of man-made fertilizers that are often harmful takes a backseat.

Basic Difference

The cereals are a type of grass and whereas pulses are leguminous types of crops. The cereals belong to the Poaceae family which is commonly called a monocot, while pulses are crops that produce pods and consumable seeds inside them. Let us learn the difference between cereals and pulses clearly to understand their concept and health benefits clear. On the whole Cereals and Pulses are all small, dry, and hard consumable seeds.

Difference between Cereals and Pulses

Characteristic	Cereals	Pulses
Definition	Forms of harvested grass, cereals are produced in many countries for their starch content.	Forms of leguminous crops, pulses are harvested as dry seeds that mostly grow inside a pod.
Nutrients	They have a higher content of carbohydrates present in them.	They have high levels of amino acids and are rich in protein; though the levels of carbohydrates are lower.
Production	Production of cereals is on a large scale since they are highly rich in carbohydrates. In a number of countries, cereals are a staple form of food.	Mass production of proteins is not common since they are low in carbohydrates and high in proteins.
Conditions for growth	All kinds of soil are suitable for growing cereals since they grow as forms of grass, except for deserts and colder environments.	Pulses grow inside a pod that may give anywhere between one to twelve seeds at once.
Classification	Kingdom: Plantae. Order: Poales. Family: Poaceae.	Kingdom: Plantae. Order: Fabales. Family: Leguminosae.
Examples	Corn, oats, rye, rice, wheat, barley and sorghum.	Chickpeas, lentils, dry beans, dry peas, cowpeas, vetches, dry broad beans, pigeon peas, Bambara beans
Countries produced	Cereals are mass-produced and a staple food for consumption in China, Brazil , India, USA and Russia.	India is the largest producer of pulses followed by countries like Myanmar, Brazil, Australia, China, Nigeria, Canada and USA.

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FAQs on Difference Between Cereals and Pulses

1. What are pulses beneficial for?

Pulses are a very good source of iron. They are also considered starchy food and add fiber source to your meal. We should always plan our diet with equal portions of healthy food and eating a balanced diet with high fiber is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and controls type 2 diabetes. Pulses are often bought in tins.

2. Can we consume balanced quantities of pulses everyday?

Pulses are known to be extremely healthy for the heart, helping reduce bad cholesterol and also reducing blood pressure. Making it a valid point to consume pulses every single day will ensure that your heart stays healthy, thereby reducing the risk of developing many cardiovascular diseases. Pulses are a low-fat source of protein with high levels of healthy protein and fiber. Generally, Pulses also contain important vitamins and minerals like iron, potassium, and folate in them.

3. When should we eat pulses?

We should always consume pulses, lentils, green leafy veggie, and curry leaves for our evening meal. This will increase our metabolism rate and improve our digestive system. It is good to consume more protein and fewer carbs during nighttime to keep your digestive system working well.

4. What are the benefits of cereals?

Usually, Minerals provided by cereals help in generating hormones, keep our heartbeat steady and healthy, also help transmit nerve impulses and keep our bones strong and sound. Cereals contain specific minerals such as magnesium which particularly helps in nerve and muscle function, potassium that helps in lowering blood pressure and Calcium helps keep the bones strong.

5. What is the role of cereals and pulses in our food and health?

Cereals contain high levels of carbohydrates content but are a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, B6, B12, C, Calcium, Phosphorus, amino acids, and other minerals as well. Pulses have comparatively lower contents of carbohydrates but are rather more rich in other nutrients found like proteins, amino acids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.