Chickpeas have been all the rage lately, but India has used chickpeas in numerous dishes since the beginning of time. Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are legumes loaded with fiber, protein, and complex carbohydrates. They are available in two varieties: a “blond” type which is found mostly in North America and Middle East, a black chickpeas variety (also known as Desi) sold in Pakistan, Ethiopia, and India.
Chickpeas are available throughout the year and, luckily for you, you can buy them in dried or canned form almost anywhere. From promoting weight loss to lowering cholesterol, the health benefits of these legumes are far and wide. Why wouldn’t you want to eat chickpeas?
Chickpeas Can Help Lower Your Cholesterol
Chickpeas are rich in cardio-protective nutrients, such as fiber, folate and magnesium. According to various studies, soluble fiber can lower the levels of your bad cholesterol in your body, thereby reducing the risks of heart-related diseases. Folate can also help lower homocysteine levels, another common cause of heart disease, while the cardio-protective benefits of magnesium comes in handy when it comes to helping relax your arteries.
Need an Immunity Boost? Try Chickpeas.
You’ve probably heard of natural immune boosters before. What usually comes to mind are the common immune-boosting super-foods, like elderberries or fruits like lemon, but the immune-boosting spectrum is far wider than what most people know. Chickpeas are a great natural source of copper and zinc. These two minerals play an important role in the growth of your immune cells. Eating chickpeas can help keep your immune system in tip-top shape.
Weight Loss and Chickpeas
A healthy weight loss dietary plan is incomplete without legumes. Legumes, such as chickpeas, are rich in protein and fiber. Protein and fiber help curb your food cravings, especially when it comes to unhealthy snacking. Often times eating these macronutrients help you to feel full, allowing you to stop your bad habit in its tracks.
The fiber and protein in chickpeas can also control the natural insulin pump in your body. Insulin is a fat-storing hormone which is released by your body when your blood sugar levels rise. It often promotes the accumulation of belly fat. By eating more chickpeas you can hopefully train your body to control your insulin and trim some of your unwanted pounds over time.
What Chickpeas Can Do for Your Indigestion
While chickpeas, just like other types of legumes, can increase intestinal gas, this often occurs only when you consume a high amount of chickpeas. What you probably didn’t realize is that consuming chickpeas can help people with gastrointestinal problems. Some studies suggest that including chickpeas in your daily diet can enhance gut health and prevent constipation by easing up the movement of food through your digestive system.
Need Iron? Eat Chickpeas.
Iron deficiency is a common nutritional deficiency which often leads to anemia, a disease where your body lacks of enough red blood cell to function properly. People with anemia often experience fatigue, dizziness, and weakness, as their bodies fail to provide sufficient oxygen to the body tissues. Anemia may also lead to loss of appetite, hair loss, and brittle nails. Fortunately, low iron levels in the body can be treated with iron-rich foods, such as chickpeas. One cup of chickpeas contains about 4.7mg of dietary iron.
Chickpeas Might Help Prevent Cancer
Consumption of chickpeas may also protect you against some types of cancer. When chickpea fiber is fermented in your gut by beneficial bacteria, it produces a metabolite known as butyrate. Research has shown that this acid controls the creation of cancer cells and helps to kill them when they form in your body.
Chickpeas and Aging
A common problem that most people face as they grow older is the aging of their skin. Fine lines, wrinkles, skin dullness, and dark spots often begin to appear as a person grows older. One of the best ways to reduce wrinkles and keep your skin radiant is by eating chickpeas.
Chickpeas are rich in manganese which helps to fight against wrinkles. Chickpeas also have qualities that help in detoxifying your skin. Other nutrients such as folate and Vitamin B re-energize your skin cells to keep your skin looking bright and healthy.
Benefits for Diabetics
Unfortunately, there are many people all over the world who struggle with Type 2 Diabetes. Studies suggest that people who include legumes in their daily diet are less likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes. The carbohydrates in chickpeas are digested gradually, reducing the blood sugar levels, making it harder for your body to develop insulin problems over time.
Get Your Chickpeas! Chickpeas Over Here!
So now you’ve learned all that you can know about chickpeas! There’s no better time to start adding chickpeas into your diet on a regular basis. You can find all the chickpeas you need at Pioneer Cash & Carry to help you get started on a healthy lifestyle. If you’re looking for a quick chickpea snack to take with you, try this Roasted Chickpea recipe.
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