Amazing 5 Health Benefits of Chickpeas
"Just like other types of legumes/beans, chickpeas also have many health benefits. Starting from nourishing the heart to controlling the body's blood sugar levels"
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Chickpeas belong to the group of legumes that are very rich in benefits. This is because of its complete nutritional content. Such as protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, vitamins B, C, K, folate, and beta carotene, which all become nutrients needed by the body.
So, there Are Various Health Benefits of Chickpeas
Based on its complete nutritional content, it is not surprising that chickpeas are called one of the healthy foods with many health benefits. Arbitrary? Here are the health benefits of chickpeas :
1. Maintain a healthier heart
Chickpeas have become a type of vegetable that does not have cholesterol content. One of the effects of this is that it lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and makes the heart healthier. There is a soluble fiber content in chickpeas that helps lower levels of bad cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood.
Not only that, this green vegetable also contains flavonoids, a type of polyphenol antioxidant that is commonly found in vegetables and fruits with arguably high levels.
According to the book Complementary and Alternative Therapies and the Aging Population, it mentions that chickpeas with a high content of flavonoids in the blood will trigger an anti-thrombotic effect, which prevents the occurrence of blood clots in the veins and arteries.
Interestingly, this thrombotic activity plays a role in various cardiovascular problems, including strokes and heart attacks.
2. Improves fertility in women
Studies at Harvard Medical School say that consuming more plant-based iron, such as beans, spinach, chickpeas, and squash can support fertility in women. There are also studies that mention the relationship between the intake of these nutrients and the fertility rate of women.
So that iron is optimally absorbed by the body, you can eat iron-sourced foods with a high intake of vitamin C, such as peppers or tomatoes. Other health benefits of chickpeas can also be felt by pregnant women because of their high folate content.
3. Maintain the body's immunity
Other benefits of chickpeas include being rich in vitamin C. A cup of chickpeas in raw condition has a vitamin C content of 12.2 milligrams. This is equivalent to 25 percent of the body's daily need for vitamin C.
Not only does it help support the body's immunity, vitamin C also has a role in the formation of collagen and provides protection to the skin from the risk of oxidative stress. This vitamin also works as an antioxidant to combat free radicals and the risk of damage to tissues.
4. Foods with low FODMAP content
FODMAP or fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyos are types of carbohydrates with short chains that are difficult to absorb in the small intestine. In addition, FODMAP itself does have a tendency to absorb water and carry out fermentation processes in the colon.
FODMAP is thought to trigger a number of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. These include diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, and flatulence. Eating foods with a high FODMAP content can cause problems with digestive health. Examples include the risk of developing acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome.
Conversely, the intake of foods with low FODMAP content such as chickpeas can reduce the risk of health problems in the stomach. In addition, chickpeas are also a safe food intake for people with chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
5. Controlling blood sugar levels
Not to forget, chickpeas also have a role in controlling blood sugar levels. In fact, this food is mentioned as a type of vegetable that has a hypoglycemic effect on people with diabetes.
As is known, people with diabetes need long-term treatment so that blood sugar levels remain stable and maintained. You can do this through dieting or taking medication. This is why, including vegetables with low glycemic numbers such as chickpeas in the daily menu, can help control blood sugar levels more optimally.
Well, those were some health benefits of chickpeas that need to be known. In addition to eating healthy foods, don't forget to keep doing regular health checks.