Chickpeas Nutrition Facts

Very versatile and a great ingredient in many exotic eastern dishes...

Chickpeas Interesting Facts:

• Biggest chickpea producers are India, Pakistan, Turkey and Australia.

• The chickpea plant grows to between 20 and 50 cm high and has small feathery leaves on either side of the stem.

• Chickpeas need a subtropical or tropical climate with more than 400 millimetres of annual rain. They can be grown in a temperate climate but yields will be much lower.

• In history, they were noted for being less windy than peas and more nourishing and were said to offer medical uses such as increasing sperm and milk and helping to treat kidney stones.

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Chickpeas Nutrition and Health Benefits:

• Molybendum is a mineral for body's mechanism to detoxify sulfites- a preservative found in wine, meats and salad in salad bars. Sulfite-sensitive individuals may experience headaches, confusion and a racing heartbeat.

• High Fiber and Low GI content of chickpeas prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal.

• Dietary fiber prevents constipation and digestive disorders.

• Manganese is an essential cofactor in a number of enzymes in energy production and antioxidant defences.

• Chickpeas and other type of legumes are linked to a great reduction in risk of heart disease.

• They can increase your energy by helping to replenish iron stores. Garbanzos are low in calories and fat free unlike red meat- another source of iron.

Chickpeas Glycemic Index: