At one time or the other, it is likely you’ve heard someone ask a question of whether hummus is good for your health or not. The answer to that question is an emphatic health. Hummus is truly healthy and good for you for a number of reasons. Not only is hummus natural and plant-based, but it is also 100% dairy free and at the same time vegan and gluten-free.
Hummus is also minimally processed and is rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. The fact the hummus is rich in minerals and vitamin makes it beneficial to your body’s immune system a typical characteristic of vegan diets. Chickpeas is one of the major constituents of hummus and is known to help combat heart disease. It also contains garlic which along with chickpeas helps to combat inflammation.
Health facts about Hummus
It is healthy for your heart
Adding chickpeas to your everyday intake reduces the amount of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) responsible for carrying cholesterol to your body cells. It also lowers the total level of cholesterol in the body. Cholesterol can cause a problem for your health when they build up on the arterial walls causing blockages. This increases the risk of suffering a heart attack. This is asides the fact that chickpeas are rich in magnesium and folate, two elements that strengthen the walls of blood vessels and can also prevent blood from forming clots.
Another main ingredient is Extra virgin oil which is also known to be quite beneficial to your cardiovascular health since it is quite rich in mono-saturated fats which are good for your body as well as antioxidants.
Reduction of INFLAMMATION
The ingredients in chickpeas have been proven to help the body handle inflammations. Your body is naturally tuned to protect itself against harmful or toxic substances. While inflammation is an indication that your body is repairing itself and getting rid of toxins, persistent inflammation can cause long-term damage to joints leading to arthritis.
Energy boosters
Legumes and beans are naturally rich in starch and a complex type of carbohydrate which acts as a quick energy reserve for the body without having any effects on the level sugar in your blood. This type of complex carbohydrates doesn’t break down too quickly so they act as energy source for a long time and won’t cause spikes in blood sugar.
Should a diabetic try hummus
A hummus dip is great to snack for diabetics. It is rich in both protein and fibers. These nutrients help to absorb sugars from starch thus helping to regulate blood sugar levels. diabetic patients have to keep tabs on their glucose level and keep it fairly stable. The protein and fiber present in chickpeas will help you to maintain your blood glucose at a stable level.
A research published in “Archives of Internal Medicine” in 2012 revealed that patients who a cup of legume or more every day for 3 whole months as a part of their low glycemic index diet who experience an improvement in their body’s glucose tolerance. This is believed to also reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in such patients. Since hummus is rich in beans, making hummus is a great source of legumes in your meal plans
Serving Suggestions
According to the American Diabetes Association taking 1/3 of a cup of hummus which is a serving, will give you 15 grams of carbohydrates, 8grams of fat and 7 grams of protein. Hummus can be eaten in different ways. Asides using it as a special dip for your vegetables, hummus can be taken as a salad and as a spread on sandwiches instead of mayonnaise.