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The Origin of the Chickpea
We all know that protein is an important part of a nutritious and healthy plant-based diet. With millions of people swapping meat for plant based protein, companies are churning out so many vegan alternatives that sometimes it’s hard to know which one to choose. The likes of pea protein, tempeh and seitan are so easy to come by and are extremely versatile in many different dishes.
However, despite the enthusiasm for all of these nutritious protein sources, you might be
surprised to know that the protein packed winner of 2021’s health craze is the simple chickpea. This staple of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine has been around for so long that it was one of the eight founder crops of the “Origins of Agriculture” on our planet. Packed with B vitamins and fibre, these little legumes are not to be ignored if you’re wanting to become a healthier version of yourself in 2021. So, without further ado, let’s get down to why chickpeas are an extremely important food to integrate into your diet.
The Five Main Health Benefits of Chickpeas
Promotes Heart Health
The health benefits of chickpeas are numerous, but one that people may not know so well is that
they are excellent for our hearts. Packed with magnesium and potassium, these minerals are known for their ability to lower blood pressure, a major contributing factor in heart disease. They are also full of soluble fibre which helps reduce triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. As chickpeas don’t contain any cholesterol, you can consume them knowing that they are doing your body a world of good.
Regulates Blood Sugar and Reduces Risk of Diabetes
One of the main reasons why consumption of chickpeas has skyrocketed in 2021 is because of their high fibre content which helps regulate blood sugar. When this fibre mixes with the water in your stomach, it creates a gel that slows digestion. This gel reduces spikes in blood sugar andkeeps it at a healthy level. Of course, we can’t forget about the isoflavones in chickpeas because they can help lower your risk of getting diabetes by decreasing insulin resistance.
Chickpeas are Cheap and Easy to Incorporate into your Diet
One of the main reasons non vegans can be hesitant about going plant based is because they think that it’s more expensive than a standard meat based diet. However, chickpeas and other pulses can make up a good proportion of a healthy vegan diet and, costing between 90 pence and £1.50 depending on the quality, it shouldn’t break the bank. In fact, a recent study published by Think Money found that going vegan can save around £645 per year as it’s estimated that meat eaters spend over £600 on meat products alone.
Chickpeas can be used in a variety of preparations, meaning you can use them in all sorts of recipes from savoury dishes like humus to replacing eggs with the aquafaba from canned chickpeas and using it to make meringue. You can even choose between white or black chickpeas.
Promotes Good Mental Health
As if the above benefits aren’t enough to encourage you to add more chickpeas to your diet, these pulses are also an excellent addition in promoting positive mental health. Chickpeas are extremely high in Choline, with one cup averaging about 69.7 mg. This nutrient helps the brain and nervous system function properly and is also the key to feeling happy and having good muscle control. Additionally, chickpeas are extremely high in selenium which has been shown to increase cognitive function and promote good memory.
Aids Management of Anaemia
Iron is a fundamental nutrient which supports the body’s absorption of oxygen. It is also the most abundant element on earth, but ironically, often lacking in diets contributing to the most common nutritional disorder in the world, Anaemia. Without iron, the body cannot deliver oxygen to its cells. When this happens, a person suffering from Anaemia can experience feelings of fatigue and weakness. In some cases, the deficiency can lead to life threatening organ failure. Chickpeas are an excellent anecdote to people suffering from this condition. 1 cup of chickpeas can provide 4.7 mg of iron or about half of a person’s recommended daily dose. Another interesting fact is that half a cup of chickpeas actually has more iron than 3 ounces of sirloin steak. So, the next time someone asks you if you’re getting enough iron in your vegan diet, remind them just how simple it is to consume without the need for meat.
In Conclusion, Chickpeas are Great for the Environment
Of course, it’s evident that chickpeas are a fundamental food in providing the body with important nutrients, but they’re also great for the environment. While the plant grows, it forms root nodules
which take nitrogen from the air, converting it into fertiliser which the plant then uses to feed itself. Additionally, when it’s time for the harvest, the plant material that is left in the field releases the rest of the nitrogen back into the soil. This is then used to grow the crops for the following year. Compared with other foods that have an immense strain on the environment in which they grow, sustainably grown chickpeas have no negative affects on water, air and land. With so many health benefits and positive environmental impacts, It’s no wonder that these nutrient dense pulses are the number one health craze of 2021. Its also safe to say they will continue to be a popular food choice well into the future, as they support the health of our planet as well as our bodies!
Need some Inspiration in adding more chickpeas to your diet? Try these
awesome recipes!
• Moroccan Chickpea Stew - Blog: Planted and Picked
• Roasted Chickpeas - Blog: Simple Vegan Blog
• Vegan Caramel Apple Pavlova - Blog: The Little Blog of Vegan
• Curried Falafels - Blog: The Little Blog of Vegan
• Easy Vegan Chickpea Tuna Mayo - Blog: Romy London UK
Bio A lover of all things vegan and sustainable, Chelsea is someone who enjoys spreading the benefits of living a plant based life out into the world. Being vegan for 6 years she is always on the lookout for the newest plant-based trends and enjoys cooking up yummy recipes in her tiny Liverpool kitchen. This is her first article for Professionals Review. She’d love to influence as many people as possible to adopt a plant based diet through writing for many different publications within the health, wellness and vegan sectors. She hopes to pursue writing as a full time career one day and is thrilled to have the opportunity to write for such a successful online magazine like Professionals Review.
To find out more about her passion for plant based living follow her on Instagram: chelsea_rose_plaskitt