28-benefits-of-chickpeas

28 Benefits of Chickpeas

At Anat we use chickpeas every day in our falafel and hummus. They are loved by our customers across all stores, and have so many benefits. We take a look at 28 of these below.

Chickpeas for your Skin

  1. Wrinkles:

The Manganese found in chickpeas causes our skin cells to produce energy and fights wrinkle-causing free radicals. Molybdenum detoxifies our skin by removing sulphites. Other nutrients, such as folate and Vitamin B, work as fuel for the skin cells. They repair damage from the sun and harmful toxins.

  1. Face Pack:

Mix chickpea flour with turmeric to cleanse and exfoliate your face. This will improve your skin texture, remove dead cells, moisturise and improve your complexion too. Find a recipe for a face mask here.

  1. Face Cleanser:

To use chickpea flour as a natural cleanser:

  • Mix chickpea flour with turmeric powder and milk or yogurt.
  • Make a fine paste apply it evenly on your face.
  • Wash off thoroughly after 10-15 minutes with warm water.
  1. Reduce Age Spots:

To use chickpeas for reducing age spots:

  • Mash boiled chickpeas.
  • Add some water to make a fine paste.
  • Apply and spread it evenly on your face or hands.

This paste will help reduce age spots on your face and body.

  1. Ringworm Infection:

Did you know chickpeas could help you get rid of ringworm infections? All you need to do is include chickpea flour chapattis in your daily diet for at least a month and the infection will be gone!

  1. Treatment of Leukoderma:

Chickpeas play a role in treating leukoderma, which are those white patches we get on our skin.  To use:

  • Soak a cup of chickpea with eight grams of triphala churan and water.
  • Keep it aside for 24 hours.
  • Consume when you see it sprouting.

Repeat this regularly for a few months for best results.

Chickpeas for your Hair:

  1. Facial Hair:

Chickpeas are also helpful when it comes to removing that unwanted facial hair. Here’s how:

  • Mix turmeric and chickpea flour to make a fine paste
  • Apply evenly on your face
  • Alternately, you can also use this as a facial scrub
  • Wash after 10-15 minutes

Do this regularly for a month for best results.

  1. Hair Strengthening:

Chickpeas are great strengthening your hair. They contain good amounts of protein and manganese which also help to prevent greying hair.

  1. Dandruff:

If you struggle with dandruff, chickpeas are your solution. To use:

  • Mix six tablespoons of chickpea flour with water.
  • Massage this paste on your hair for a few minutes before the final rinse.

This will help in keeping the flaky dandruff at bay and reduce infection too.

Chickpeas for your Health:

  1. Controls Hunger:

Chickpeas are rich in fiber and are filled with high quality protein. These two nutrients keep you full for longer, therefore helping to control hunger. These essential nutrients found in chickpeas make it ideal for weight loss and weight management.

  1. Cholesterol Reduction:

Including ¾  cup of chickpeas in your daily diet can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels significantly. Chickpeas contain dyslipidemia, which prevents the concentration of cholesterol in blood. This in turn lowers the risk of heart disease and strokes.

  1. Cooking:

Chickpeas can be cooked and used in salads, curries, soups and stews. Roasted chickpeas with a few savory spices make for an ideal snack during the day. It finds it way in a Gluten-free diet too and can be used in variety of dishes like pakoraspoppadum’s or pancakes and as a substitute for eggs in baking.

  1. Low Sulphites:

Chickpeas are packed with high amounts of mineral and molybdenum. These are essential for detoxifying sulphite compounds from food products, dried fruits and even wine. Sulphite compounds often cause dizziness, rapid heart rate, headache, and other unpleasant symptoms. Molybdenum also help to cleanses our liver.

  1. Soluble Fiber:

Chickpeas come with a decent amount of soluble fiber. This helps lower heart disease risk and stabilizes blood sugar levels too. The soluble fiber acts as a sponge and cleans up bile with bad cholesterol. It also gives one the feeling of a fuller stomach.

  1. Good Sleep:

As one of the richest sources of amino acids, tryptophan and serotonin, chickpeas play a vital role in regulating our moods and our sleep patterns. Consuming tryptophan at night makes one calm and feel peaceful, so be sure to eat chickpeas at dinner time if you are having trouble sleeping.

  1. Immune System:

Chickpeas are loaded with good iron. Iron helps transporting oxygen through the body and is imperative for maintaining a strong immune system and good metabolism.

  1. Heart Disease:

Eating chickpeas on a regular basis cleanses bad cholesterol, lowers cholesterol levels and triglycerides. Think of these beans as your heart’s friend. The unique combination of antioxidants in chickpeas supports blood vessels’ walls and blood. The Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and omega-3 fatty acids together reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular risks.

  1. Women’s Health:

Chickpeas are great for women’s’ health too. The phytochemicals or saponins in chickpeas are extremely helpful in the prevention of breast cancer and osteoporosis. It is also great for lowering incidences of hot flushes post menopause.

  1. Iron for Energy:

Full of iron, chickpeas help boost our energy levels. Iron is essential for pregnant or lactating mothers too. Children and adolescents need iron in good amounts for performing routine tasks. Chickpeas are great for the whole family.

  1. Manganese:

Chickpeas contain manganese, which helps to facilitate the functioning of enzymes, energy production and antioxidant defense in our bodies.

  1. Calcium:

The amount of calcium found in chickpeas is equivalent to that of milk and yogurt, hence why it is so good for bone health.

  1. Folic acid:

Chickpeas have good quantities of folates or folic acid, which is regarded as the most essential nutrient for an expecting mother. It is also useful in the treatment of spinal injuries and the development of  the fetal brain.

  1. Controls Diabetes:

Chickpeas are low on the glycemic index, or low GI, which makes them good for the regulation of blood sugar levels. Fiber and protein help maintain the flow of food into the digestive tract. It also prevents breaking down of food too quickly or slowly. This healthy rate releases sugar from the food and stabilizes its digestive impact on our blood sugar. Chickpeas are highly recommended for diabetics and those who are insulin resistant.

  1. Phosphorous:

Chickpeas have high quantities of phosphorous and iron. Together, these help increase the blood cell count. It also improves hemoglobin and cleanses excess salts from the kidneys.

  1. Cancer:

Chickpeas lower the risk of cancer too. The soluble fiber reaches the colon and breaks bacteria into fatty acids. This then gets absorbed by the colon cells and is converted into energy. Chickpeas help keep the colon cells healthy and lower the risk of cancer.

  1. Kidney Stones:

Chickpeas are excellent for preventing kidney stones. Here is how:

  • Soak ½ cup chickpeas in water.
  • Keep it soaked overnight.
  • Consume it with honey the next morning to prevent kidney stones
  1. Jaundice:

Chickpeas are great for curing jaundice too. Consuming a cup of chickpeas soaked in water with jaggery can help cure jaundice and frequent vomiting associated with it.

  1. Heart Attacks

By helping with weight management, lowering cholesterol and reducing heart disease, chickpeas play a role is reducing the risk of heart attacks when part of a healthy diet and exercise plan. a

If you’re looking to increase your chickpea intake, we’d suggest our falafel, available at all of our stores.