In the Eastern Mediterranean is a littoral between Anatolia and Egypt. This the same region also known as Levantine, where hummus is made from cooked, mashed chickpeas which are then mixed with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. This popular cuisine in Middle East and North Africa has numerous health benefits as we shall find out in this article.
Health benefit 1: Controlling Weight
Being a protein rich food, hummus aids in fighting hunger pangs as well as balances blood sugar levels. As a result, excessive snacking is minimized. The iron in hummus helps in enhancing energy levels in the body.
Health Benefit 2: Numerous Flavors.
Humus is reputed to contain 14 different sabra flavors. These flavors make them tasty and pleasurable to eat. Some of these flavors include roasted red pepper, chipotle and olive tapenade.
Health Benefit 3: Low cholesterol
The main ingredient in hummus is chickpeas. The chickpeas are low in saturated fats and contain no cholesterol. This makes it a healthy food for the vegetarians as well as those predisposed to heart diseases like stroke. Chick peas hinder build-up of cholesterol and also regulate blood sugar levels.
Health Benefit 4: Nutritionally Rich
Another ingredient in hummus is tahini, which is rich in fat and calories. This should not alarm as the amount used in hummus is little and what is more, the fats are usually unsaturated. This tahini is rich in protein, just like chick peas. It is also calcium rich.
Health benefit 5: Contains Olive Oil
Hummus contains another ingredient known as olive oil. Olive oil is known worldwide for its monounsaturated fat and minimal saturated fat. Olive oil helps in regulation of cholesterol, not to mention that it plays an important role in safeguarding the cardiovascular health.
Health Benefit 6: Contains Garlic and Lemon Juice
Hummus contains garlic and lemon juice, both of which are laden with antioxidants. The anti-oxidants play a useful role in combating bacteria, viruses, not to mention boosting the immunity.
Health Benefit 7: Promotes General Health
Apart from improving your intelligence and maintaining a healthy heart, hummus helps you to fight insomnia and uplift your mood. It has omega 3 fatty acids (food for the brain), iron, vitamin B6, folic acid and amino acids such as Tryptophan that improve the quality of your sleep
Health Benefit 8: Fiber Rich
The chickpeas in hummus, also known as garbanzo beans provide a great source of fiber. This fiber aids in keeping cholesterol levels down and boosts cardiovascular health. The chick peas are an important food especially for people suffering from diabetes since they regulate blood sugar and also improve the digestive tract. Eating humus will help ward off constipation.
Health Benefit 9: Fights Cancer
The anti-oxidants in hummus aid in combating cancer. The anti-oxidants, mostly in garlic and chickpeas aid in fighting colon and stomach cancers. The dry beans in chick peas have high levels of a plant chemical responsible for providing anti-oxidants. This compound is known as polyphenols.
Health Benefit 10: Provides Satiety
The protein and fiber in hummus gives you a full feeling. It provides you with sustained energy that helps you keep of junks especially after a work-out. This is quite helpful in losing weight.
Image Credit : HIldensia Via Creative Commons
