Green peas have several characteristics that may help prevent a few chronic diseases, which are reviewed below.

Heart Disease

Green peas contain a decent amount of heart-healthy minerals, such as magnesium, potassium and calcium.

Diets high in these nutrients may be helpful for preventing high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease ( 19 , 20 , 21 ).

They may also have a positive effect on heart health.

The high fiber content of green peas and legumes has been shown to lower total cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol, both of which increase the risk of heart disease when they are elevated ( 7 , 22 , 23 ).

Green peas also provide flavonols, carotenoids and vitamin C, antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the likelihood of heart disease and stroke due to their ability to prevent damage to cells ( 24 , 25 , 26 ).

Cancer

Eating green peas regularly may reduce the risk of cancer, mostly due to peas’ antioxidant content and their ability to reduce inflammation in the body ( 27 ).

Green peas also contain saponins, plant compounds known for having anti-cancer effects. Several studies have shown saponins may help prevent several types of cancer and have the potential to inhibit tumor growth ( 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ).

Furthermore, they are rich in several nutrients known for their ability to lower the risk of cancer, including vitamin K, which may be especially helpful for reducing the risk of prostate cancer ( 32 ).

Diabetes

Green peas have a few characteristics that are known to aid blood sugar control, which is an important factor in preventing and controlling diabetes.

Their fiber and protein prevent your blood sugar levels from rising too quickly, which helps keep diabetes under control ( 7 , 15 , 33 , 34 , 35 ).

Furthermore, the low glycemic index (GI) rank of green peas makes them a diabetic-friendly food, since they are unlikely to spike your blood sugar ( 7 , 33 , 34 ).

They also provide a decent amount of magnesium and B vitamins, in addition to vitamins K, A and C. All these nutrients have been found to help reduce the risk of diabetes ( 36 , 37 , 38 ).