Chickpea Health Benefits: Why We Eat Them Daily

Chickpeas or garbanzo beans are known as one of world’s oldest consumed crops. They offer a wide range of health benefits, thanks to the protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals they contain. Chickpea health benefits include stabilized blood sugar levels, improved digestion, protection against heart disease and more. Whether you add them to a salad or prefer them ground up as hummus, chickpeas can be a healthy addition to your daily diet.

Chickpea Health Benefits

1. Control Blood Sugar Levels

Chickpea health benefits include the ability to stabilize blood sugar levels. They digest slowly and provide the body with a steady flow of energy. Chickpeas help reduce dips and spikes in blood sugar to maintain healthy levels. Chickpea health benefits include a reduced risk of diabetes. (1)

2. Aid in Weight Loss

Thanks to the fiber and protein they contain, chickpea health benefits include the ability to aid in weight loss. High-fiber foods are associated with a lower body weight. Fiber promotes a feeling of satiety to reduce snacking and overeating. Chickpeas help the body burn fat while maintaining a healthy weight. They are high in fiber and protein but low in calories, making them a diet-friendly food. (2)

3. Improve Digestion

Chickpea health benefits include improved digestion. The fiber in chickpeas works to facilitate digestion by helping foods move quickly through the digestive tract. Fiber can also help decrease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. It draws fluids from the body and promotes toxin removal.

4. Protect the Heart

Chickpea health benefits include improved heart health. Studies have shown that chickpeas can help balance cholesterol levels, reduce hypertension and protect the heart against disease. Thanks to the fiber they contain, chickpea health benefits also include the ability to stabilize blood sugar levels to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. (3)

5. Provide the Body with Vitamins and Minerals

Chickpeas contain iron, zinc, folate, phosphorus and B vitamins. Chickpea health benefits include the ability to prevent nutrient deficiencies. The vitamins and minerals they contain help facilitate proper digestion, strengthen immune function and protect the body from illness and infection. The B vitamins in chickpeas play an important role in producing new cells and synthesizing DNA. Chickpeas also help alkalize the body to balance pH levels and combat acidity.

6. Provide the Body with Plant-Based Protein

Chickpea health benefits include the ability to provide the body with plant-based protein. Protein plays an important role in many bodily functions. The body needs protein to help keep the organs, muscles and tissues healthy and functioning properly. Protein also works to control blood sugar levels, build and maintain muscles, provide the body with energy, create a feeling of satiety and help the body heal from wounds and injuries. As a source of plant-based protein, chickpeas may be especially beneficial for vegans and vegetarians.