What Is Chickpea?
Scientifically termed Cicer arietinum, chickpea is a legume that belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is also known as gram, Bengal gram, garbanzo (garbanzo beans), and Egyptian pea. Chickpea is exceptionally high in protein (which is what it is primarily known for). Chickpea can broadly be classified into two types – Desi and Kabuli. The desi type contains smaller and darker seeds and also has a rough coat, whereas, the Kabuli type is usually larger, lighter colored, and has a smoother coat. We also have black chickpeas, also called kaala channa. That’s a bit about chickpea. But yes, it’s history is something you definitely must know.
What Is The History Of Chickpea?
Chickpea is one of the earliest cultivated legumes – remains as old as 7,500 years were found in the Middle East. Domesticated chickpeas have been found in Neolithic pottery in certain parts of Turkey. People from the ancient times also had associated chickpeas with Venus as the peas were believed to offer medical benefits like increasing sperm count and milk, provoking menstruation, and even aiding kidney stone treatment. The peas were quite popular with the Greeks, Egyptians, and the Romans. And explorers spread the peas all over the world as they traveled across oceans. As interesting as it can get, ground roast chickpeas were even used as a substitute for coffee in Europe way back in 1793. And during the World War I, chickpeas were grown for this purpose in parts of Germany. In some parts of the world, they are still brewed in the place of coffee. This chickpea we have been talking about is replete with nutrients (obviously – that’s why we are talking about it). And before we get to the benefits, let’s take a look at ’em.
What Is The Nutritional Profile Of Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)?
One cup of chickpeas (164 grams) contains 269 calories. It contains 4 grams of fat, 11 milligrams of sodium, and no cholesterol. It also contains 12 grams of dietary fiber. Other important nutrients in chickpeas include:
14.5 grams of protein (29% of the daily value) 1.7 milligrams of manganese (84% of the daily value) 282 micrograms of folate (71% of the daily value) 0.6 milligrams of copper (29% of the daily value) 276 milligrams of phosphorus (28% of the daily value) 4.7 milligrams of iron (26% of the daily value) 78.7 milligrams of magnesium (20% of the daily value) 2.5 milligrams of zinc (17% of the daily value)
There are several other vital nutrients too – and all of these fight for one common goal – to provide you with the best of health benefits.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)?
Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, are super rich in protein and other nutrients like vitamins B6 and C, folate, manganese, and magnesium. They also contain calcium and some amounts of potassium (crucial for heart health). The protein helps build muscle mass and improves the health of cells while the magnesium, manganese, and calcium keep your bones strong. Vitamin C prevents ailments like cancer and promotes skin health. And yes, the iron and folate work great during pregnancy.
1. Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
The glycemic index of chickpeas is 28, which is on the lower end. And that’s one reason it doesn’t spike your blood sugar levels. There’s some preliminary research that shows that individuals taking chickpeas can lower their risk of diabetes (1). Consuming chickpeas in the place of wheat can also lead to lower postprandial blood glucose levels. And chickpeas are also rich in fiber – one nutrient that slows down the absorption of blood sugar, thereby cutting the risk of type 2 diabetes. This fiber can also control your appetite – and this helps you stay away from high GI foods that you might otherwise mindlessly snack on.
2. Help Lose Weight
The fiber makes this very obvious. It is going to make you feel full for long periods. And that is going to help you stay away from junk and other useless stuff. In fact, chickpeas might also help cut body fat – contributing to weight loss (2). Another nutrient we must talk about is protein, which is known to regulate weight. Studies showed that subjects on high protein not only lost body weight, but were also able to shed more body fat. Also, protein’s thermic effect is 30 percent. This means that you will burn 30 percent of the calories during the digestion of protein. Chickpeas are nutrient dense as well. So if you need to avoid certain foods to reach your weight loss goals, chickpeas can make sure you don’t fall behind when it comes to optimum nutrition.
3. Boost Digestive Health
It’s the fiber in the garbanzo beans, again. It helps prevent constipation and promotes regularity. The fiber also acts as a bulking agent in the digestive system, thereby improving the overall digestive health. More importantly, fiber also helps balance the pH levels and the healthy gut bacteria. It also reduces the number of unhealthy bacteria in the gut. Chickpeas also contain starch that might aid digestion.
4. Improve Heart Health
Chickpeas contain potassium, fiber, and vitamins C and B6 – all of which support heart health. The fiber helps lower the total cholesterol in the blood, reducing the risk of heart disease. It also removes plaque from the arteries and improves their health. This, in turn, benefits the heart. Studies have shown that the soluble fiber in chickpeas can help prevent cardiovascular disease (3). And then, we have potassium, which, as per a study, can cut the risk of heart attacks (4). The folate in chickpeas also contributes to heart health. It counteracts homocysteine, an amino acid that helps in the formation of blood clots (5). And this can have benefits for the heart.
5. Help Prevent Cancer
Though selenium is not found in most fruits and vegetables, we can find it in chickpeas. This mineral helps the liver function properly, enabling it to detoxify certain cancer-causing compounds in the body. Selenium also suppresses inflammation and prevents tumor growths. The folate in garbanzo beans has a role to play in DNA synthesis and repair. This is why it prevents the formation of cancer cells from mutations in the DNA. Chickpeas contain phytochemicals called saponins, which also prevent the multiplication and proliferation of cancer cells. The fiber in chickpeas helps lower the risk of colorectal cancer as well. And the vitamin C works as an antioxidant that fights the free radicals and prevents cancer altogether. Studies have found that taking isoflavones (which chickpeas contain) can cut the risk of breast cancer (6).
6. Great Source Of Protein
Chickpeas are one of the greatest sources of plant-based protein. One cup of chickpeas contains about 15 grams of protein. This protein is important for almost all functions of your body – right from improving the health of the vital organs, muscles, and tissues to slowing down the aging process. Protein also helps control blood sugar levels and creates hemoglobin and important antibodies. It also helps heal injuries and wounds. But ensure you combine chickpeas with other sources of protein as they are an incomplete protein (which means they don’t contain all the amino acids required by the body). However, the protein quality in chickpeas is considered much better than that of pulses (7).
7. Rich In Important Nutrients
Chickpeas are also good sources of magnesium, manganese, zinc, and iron. They also contain good amounts of B vitamins and vitamin A (as beta-carotene). The magnesium, manganese, and B vitamins (vitamin B6) help deal with the symptoms of PMS. Magnesium and manganese, along with zinc, contribute to bone health as well. The iron in chickpeas fights fatigue and improves the quality of your blood. It prevents anemia and can also combat hair fall. The vitamin A improves skin and eye health. It is known to prevent severe eye ailments like cataracts and macular degeneration.
8. Eliminate Wrinkles
This can be attributed to the manganese in garbanzo beans, which offers energy to cells and is known to fight free radicals that can cause wrinkles. And the B vitamins work as fuel for the cells. You can also use chickpeas to cleanse your face. Simply mix chickpea paste with turmeric and apply the mixture to your face in the morning. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash off with cold water. This remedy also helps reduce age spots and brighten your face.
9. Prevent Hair Loss
Given that chickpeas are rich in protein, they can prevent hair loss. And the manganese they contain can strengthen your hair. A deficiency in manganese can also lead to slower hair growth. The vitamin A and zinc in chickpeas also fight dandruff. You can simply mix 6 tablespoons of mashed chickpeas with water and massage into your scalp. Let it sit for 15 minutes before you rinse as usual. The zinc in chickpeas might also help prevent hair thinning. And the copper in them might help regrow hair (in individuals who lost hair due to medical treatments like chemotherapy).
10. Improve Eye Health
We already discussed the beta-carotene in chickpeas, which can boost vision health. And then, we have zinc, which is another essential nutrient for vision. It helps in transporting vitamin A from the liver to the retina (8). Zinc might also help prevent the progression of macular degeneration (9).
11. Strengthen The Bones
Garbanzo beans contain calcium, and we know how important calcium is for the bones. More importantly, chickpeas also contain magnesium – another mineral your body uses (along with calcium) for building bones (10). Other minerals in chickpeas that improve bone health include manganese, zinc, vitamin K – and all of these help maintain the bone structure. They also contain phosphate, which, along with calcium, greatly contributes to proper bone mineralization. And by the way, intake of too much phosphorus with too little calcium can lead to bone loss. The vitamin K in chickpeas also improves calcium absorption. Low levels of vitamin K are often linked to bone fractures. And the iron and zinc in chickpeas are important for the production and maturation of collagen, another important protein that supports the health of bones and cartilages.
12. Support Pregnancy
Yes, it’s folate. But even before that, chickpeas also contain fiber, protein, iron, and calcium – nutrients that are all the more essential during pregnancy. Talking about folate, it is the most important nutrient during pregnancy. It is indispensable for the health of the mother and the fetus. It also cuts the down the risk of neural tube defects and low birth weight. Insufficient folate during pregnancy can also put the child at a risk of infections and disease at a later point in life (11).
13. Help Reduce Inflammation
Garbanzo beans are legumes – and studies show that having at least 4 servings of chickpeas a week can cut the chances of inflammation. It can also significantly improve certain metabolic features (12). Other nutrients in chickpeas, like vitamins A, C, and B6, fiber, protein, magnesium, selenium, and iron – all of these also help fight inflammation (13). You saw the benefits of chickpeas. But what’s the point if you don’t include them in your diet?
How To Incorporate Chickpeas Into Your Diet
Chickpeas are available all year. You can find them in grocery stores either dried, canned or packaged. And given that they have a nutty texture, they can easily be incorporated into one’s diet.
You can toss chickpeas along with other legumes into a bean salad for a protein-packed snack. You can use chickpea flour to bake your favorite dishes. You can also add chickpeas to your evening vegetable soup. You can even mix chickpeas with any favorite spices for a delicious side dish or snack. Or have chickpea burgers! Simply add them to your burger and enjoy a nutritious treat.
In case you are wondering how to cook chickpeas, well, it’s simple. You can boil them or even cook them along with your other dishes. They can go well with almost anything that you eat. Well, that’s some of the ways. And there is another way. Just try these recipes out!
Any Delicious Chickpea Recipes?
1. Roasted Chickpeas
1 can of drained chickpeas (12 ounces) 2 tablespoons of olive oil Salt, garlic salt, or cayenne pepper (optional)
2. Classic Chickpea Hummus
1 15½ oz canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained ½ cup of well-mixed tahini 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice 1 finely grated garlic clove ¾ teaspoon of kosher salt 10 cranks of freshly ground black pepper ¼ teaspoon of ground cumin 3 tablespoons of olive oil (you can take a little more for drizzling) Sesame seeds, for serving
How about something fun and light about chickpeas?
Any Fun Facts About Chickpeas?
India is the world leader in chickpea production – with a staggering annual production of 8,832,500 metric tons on an average. Chickpeas are called chickpeas because they resemble the beak of a chick. Chickpeas are the most consumed legumes in the world. The discarded stems of the chickpea plant are used as animal fodder. The leaves of the chickpea plant are used for the manufacture of blue dyes.
There’s something else you need to know. Say, you are out to shop for chickpeas. What do you need to keep in mind?
How To Select And Store Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
Choose dried chickpeas. Or choose canned chickpeas with less sodium. If you are going for dried chickpeas (which is what we recommend), select those that are dry, clean, and uniform in color. And ensure they are not shriveled. Store dried chickpeas at room temperature in a closed container. You must protect them from moisture and pets. If it is canned beans, store them at room temperature. And use them before the date on the can. Ah well, where do you get ’em?
Where To Buy Chickpeas?
You can pick them up from your nearest grocery store or buy them online. We have understood the benefits of chickpeas. But we also must know the ways they can negatively affect our health.
Any Side Effects Of Chickpeas?
Issues With High Fiber Intake
Chickpeas are high in fiber. Increasing fiber intake all of a sudden can lead to upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, and bloating. It might also lead to stomach cramps, though they usually subside within a few hours.
Legume Allergy
Chickpeas are a relative of soybeans, and hence might worsen your skin allergy. If you have a known legume allergy, stop use and talk to your doctor. Certain symptoms of legume allergy include nausea, diarrhea, skin itchiness, hives, headaches, and coughing. Any difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans? Have a look at the infographic below to know how you can use this gram flour for various kinds of skincare masks. No, they are not different. Are chickpeas carb or protein? Both. What does chickpea taste like? Chickpea has a nutty flavor and a slightly grainy texture. Does chickpea flour have carbohydrates? Pretty much, because the flour is made from the peas. How much does a can of chickpeas cost? The price can range from $2 to $3 a can. Can chickpeas be eaten daily? Yes, you may consume chickpeas daily in moderation. The recommended daily intake of chickpeas is 28 grams. Excess consumption may have unfavorable effects. Are chickpeas good for arthritis? A pilot study found that consuming chickpea broth may help reduce the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis; however, further studies are required to validate the findings (14).
Sources
- “Effects of long-term consumption and single meals…”. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2. “Beans, chickpeas may help with weight loss”. WebMD. 3. “The nutritional value and health benefits of chickpeas…”. US National Library of Medicine. 4. “Sodium and potassium intake and mortality…”. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 5. “Eating rainbows”. Comprehensive Cancer Center, Michigan Medicine. 6. “Does consuming isoflavones reduce…”. US National Library of Medicine. 7. “Nutritional quality and health benefits of chickpea”. US National Library of Medicine. 8. “Foods to improve eyesight…”. Fox News. 9. “Top foods to help protect your vision”. Harvard Medical School. 10. “Calcium and strong bones”. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. 11. “Effects of folate and…”. US National Library of Medicine. 12. “A legume-based hypocaloric diet…”. US National Library of Medicine. 13. “Roasted chickpeas”. Syracuse University. 14. “The effect of chickpea broth on knee osteoarthritis…”. Syracuse University.
