Pulses have been part of human nutrition for centuries. They are also used in folk medicine as products with multidirectionalmedicinal effects. They are annual plants representing the Fabaceae family. Their edible part is the fruit, i.e. the so-called pods.Whole pods or their parts can be eaten, depending on the species and fruit ripeness. Beans, peas, peanuts, chickpeas, lentils,broad beans and soybeans are edible legume species. Legume seeds are characterized by high nutritional value. Comparedto seeds from other plants, they have high protein content ranging, on average, from 20% to 35%, depending on the type,growing conditions and maturity of the fruit. This review focuses on various health-promoting properties of legumes and pre-sents their nutritional value and compounds exerting health-promoting effects. Many pulses have a low glycemic index, whichis important for prevention and treatment of diabetes. In addition to their low glycemic index and highfiber content, pulseshave⊍-amylase and⊍-glucosidase inhibitors, which reduce the absorption of glucose from the gastrointestinal tract. Thesecompounds have antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Pulses have been shown to contain bioactive peptides withangiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory properties; hence, they are useful in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Pulsesused in the nutrition of obese individuals provide compounds with pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties, thus promotingweight reduction and control.