According to Yuma County Cooperative Extension, chickpeas also known as garbanzo beans are the most consumed legume in the world. A dynamic food, chickpeas can be ground into flour, turn into a tortilla, mashed into hummus or put in salads. Chickpeas are a very popular food item but is it worth the fuss? In other words, do the legume so many people love offer good health benefits?
Chickpeas aids in heart health, according to the American Heart Association. In a study published in the “Journal of the American Dietetic Association,” the subjects ate 700 grams of garbanzo beans a week for 12 weeks. After the chickpeas phase of the study, the participants saw that their blood cholesterol levels were 7.7 milligrams per deciliter lower than prior. Lowering cholesterol levels reduces risk for heart attack, according to the American Heart Association.
According to sources, chickpeas pack five grams of fiber per serving, making them an excellent source for digestive health.
Participants in the “Journal of the American Dietetic Association” study consumed almost 7 grams more fiber daily during the chickpeas phase. The results concluded that additional fiber helps to increase frequency of bowel movements through the colon and helps to prevent constipation. Beneficial bacteria in the colon inhibit disease-causing bacteria to form, resulting in a healthier digestive system.
Chickpeas also contain powerful minerals like potassium, magnesium and iron.
