Chickpeas – The Little Power Packed Legume

Chickpeas and the alfalfa are massively underrated when it comes to being a little powerhouse. For vegans, the benefits are even better since they are packed with protein. But they are great for everyone (unless you are on an eating plan that restricts them, of course). 

So let’s get stuck into why chickpeas are incredible, and before you know it, you’ll be making homemade falafel with canned chickpeas.

Everything You Never Knew About Chickpeas

Inflammation

The delicious chickpea, also known as garbanzo and legumes, has been shown that have at least four portions a week can have a significant impact on inflammation. 

Inflammation is one of the most prevalent causes of pain and is seen in chronic pain illnesses.

It’s not just the inflammation that is reduced; chickpeas can also help with metabolic things too. 

Bone strength and Chickpeas

Conditions like osteoporosis are something that can run in families, and it can make everyday activities painful. While eating chickpeas isn’t going to cure it, garbanzo beans have a huge amount of calcium and magnesium in them. 

The combination of magnesium and calcium is ideal for healthy bones. 

Chickpeas also have zinc, manganese, and vitamin K – a powerful combination that can help to maintain bone structure. They also include phosphate, an important element for optimal bone mineralization that works with calcium. In addition, consuming too much phosphorus while not getting enough calcium might cause bone loss.

The reason vitamin k is so important is that it helps with the absorption of calcium. So even with the right levels of calcium consumed without the supporting vitamins and minerals, the body can still struggle. 

Hair loss Can be Helped by Chickpeas

Many hormones and imbalances can lead to hair loss; however, chickpeas can help to reduce that. Garbanzo beans are rich in protein and manganese, which can help to strengthen your hair. 

People who have a deficiency in manganese might find that they have slow hair growth too. 

The zinc and vitamin A in the chickpea can also help keep dandruff at bay! You can make a quick scalp massage paste with chickpeas and water blended. Massage onto your scalp and leave for 15 minutes, then wash your hair as usual.

Zinc is well known for skin, hair, and nail support – and these little legumes have a great amount in them. 

Chickpeas Can Help With Wrinkles

Aging gracefully is something we all want to achieve, and what we eat can have a huge impact on that. Chickpeas are packed with all of the best minerals and vitamins for skin support. 

Vitamin A, B, zinc, and manganese are the big players here. Manganese can help fight free radicals; the other vitamins help the cells work to reduce wrinkles. 

Some people even create facemasks from chickpeas! 

Blood sugar 

Chickpeas sit on the lower end of the glycemic index, and because of that, they don’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels. For those who are trying to reduce the likelihood of diabetes or manage their blood sugars, chickpeas are great. 

Lower postprandial blood glucose levels can result from replacing wheat with chickpeas. 

Additionally, fiber slows down blood sugar absorption and is abundant in chickpeas.

And further to this, chickpeas are generally quite filling – meaning you are less likely to reach for snacks to keep your energy high. 

Digestion 

If you don’t get enough fiber in your diet, you are going to get problems in the toilet department. It’s not just the toilet itself, though; any digestive irritation can cause bloating and a swollen and sore stomach. 

There is plenty of fiber in chickpeas, and that means you have plenty of the bulking agent that can help your digestive troubles be reduced. 

What’s more is that chickpeas can help to keep the gut healthy by balancing the pH levels, and that reduces the harmful or unhealthy bacteria in the gut. 

Improve Your Heart Health Eating Chickpeas

We should all be aiming to take care of our hearts, and chickpeas can help a lot when it comes to heart health. 

The fiber helps to reduce cholesterol in the blood, and that alone can help reduce the chances of heart disease. Garbanzo also contains B6 and vitamin C, which support a healthy heart. 

Folate and potassium are also found in chickpeas, and those can help to reduce the chance of blood clots forming. 

So next time you are thinking about grabbing a snack, and aren’t quite sure what to eat, think hummus! Have at least 4 servings of chickpeas per week to make sure that you get the most from them.

Here are some other great and healthy snack options: 8 Healthy Snack Ideas For Your Kids.