9 Health Benefits You Can Get From Hummus
Published April 16th, 2019
Hummus, once a staple part of the middle eastern diet, is now making waves around the world. And there’s no reason not to. It’s not just delicately tasty but also one of the healthiest foods around.
Even if you don’t have Gordon Ramsay’s talent, whipping up your own batch of hummus is a piece of cake. You just need to have the basic ingredients: chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and sea salt. Throw them all in a food processor, wait for a few minutes and voila! Your homemade hummus is now ready to enjoy. Or, if you’re running out of time, a store-bought one is a good option too.
Unlike other delicious foods, indulging in hummus won’t make you feel guilty afterward. Your body will even thank you for it. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals thanks to its healthy ingredients. Here are some of the health benefits you can get from hummus:
Boosts Immune System
When our body is trying to get rid of foreign objects, the natural response is inflammation. And if that inflammation continues, it can bring about various types of diseases. Luckily, olive oil, one of hummus main ingredients is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. The best thing about the olive oil in hummus is it’s not heated up. So it still retains its health-promoting properties.
Improves Digestion
A 100g of hummus contains around 6 grams of dietary fiber. This makes it one of the best food choice if you’re having digestion problems. Your gut’s good bacteria also feed off of dietary fibers. They convert it into a short-chain fatty acid that nourishes your colon.
Great Protein-Source for Vegans
With their plant-based diet, a vegan’s primary struggle is getting enough protein. A deficiency in such can lead to muscle cramps, edema, and other skin and hair problems. But with hummus, vegans can get up to 7.9 grams of plant-based protein. That’s like eating meat without having to actually eat meat.
Helps Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
A food’s glycemic index determines how it affects your body’s blood sugar levels. The higher it is, the greater the havoc it will wreak on your blood’s glucose level. Luckily for you, the chickpeas in hummus are known for its low glycemic index. So you can eat it to your heart’s content without having to worry about your blood sugar spiking.
Promotes Heart Health
Olive oil and chickpeas are scientifically proven to improve your heart’s health. The former reduces the risk of heart disease while the latter lowers your body’s bad cholesterol level. Thus if you love your heart, you’ll start stocking up hummus on your fridge now.
Aids in Weight Loss
Can’t fit in your jeans anymore? Consider adding hummus to your daily diet. Several studies have concluded
that chickpeas help you lose weight. It helps keep you satiated for a long time thus helping you get rid of those cravings. The dietary fiber and plant-based protein in it also help curb your appetite and reduce your calorie intake.
Can Be Enjoyed by Almost Everyone
For those with food allergies, you found your match in hummus. It’s naturally gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free. So people with celiac disease, peanut allergy, and lactose intolerance can enjoy it as much as everyone else.
Keeps Your Bones Healthy
Tahini, a paste made from sesame seeds, gives off a lot of vitamins and minerals. One of them is calcium, one of the health benefits you can get from hummus, which is a mineral we all know to help prevent bone loss. Another is copper which keeps your bone structure strong and zinc which is essential for bone development.
Helps Prevent Anemia
Stress and fatigue are just some of the factors that reduces the level of iron in your blood. Iron deficiency leads to anemia which, in turn, can be deadly. Munching on hummus is a delicious way to replace the lost iron in your blood vessels. Two of its main ingredients, tahini and chickpeas, both contains high levels of iron.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer based in the Philippines. Her commitment to communicating factual content in when writing is unmatched. She works hard to cross check reputable sources to ensure her work uses accurate facts.