In recent years hummus has become a household name on the American condiment scene, not just because of its garlicky goodness, but also because of its many health benefits. 1 in 5 American households now have it stocked in their fridge.
And for good reason. First of all, it’s delicious. It can be used as a spread on sandwiches and wraps, a salad dressing, a pasta or pizza sauce, a dip, or anything else you can think of really. And that’s not even mentioning the health benefits.
Between the lemon juice, garlic, oil and chickpeas, hummus is absolutely loaded with powerful antioxidants and valuable vitamins. Hummus truly is a superfood and can benefit your health in a variety of ways.
7 Hummus Health Benefits
1. Helps you lose weight – because chickpeas are so high in fiber and protein, hummus makes you feel full for a long time, reducing your appetite and allowing you to eat less, while still maintaining muscle mass.
A study out of the Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences revealed that people who make snacking on hummus a regular habit are about half as likely to be obese than people who don’t. I like those odds. Try eating it with an additional source of protein, like eggs, for even greater benefits.
2. Lowers risk of cancer – folate has been shown to prevent the development of certain types of cancers by promoting healthy cell growth. It has also been shown to prevent birth defects, certain kinds of heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s.
A cup of hummus typically contains about a third of your recommended daily intake of this beneficial vitamin.
3. Eases Anemia – chickpeas contain a great one-two punch for fighting anemia. It not only contains a quarter of your day’s iron intake but also delivers some vitamin C along with it, which your body needs to better absorb the iron.
4. Benefits diabetics – the complex carbohydrates in hummus take a while for your body to digest, helping your blood sugar to remain stable for long periods of time and avoiding the harmful spikes caused by simple carbs.
The Archives of Internal Medicine released a study which found that regularly consuming a cup of legumes, like chickpeas, helped diabetics to improve their glucose tolerance. This was also shown to reduce their risk of heart disease.
5. Thins your blood – chickpeas are a great source of vitamin E and K which can lower your risk of blood clots by thinning your blood.
6. Reduces cholesterol levels – hummus can help keep your bad cholesterol in check because it is rich with antioxidants. A study from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics followed a group of people between the ages of 30 and 70 while they ate chickpeas every day for three years. The group enjoyed a significant reduction in cholesterol, while a control group who consumed wheat products fared worse.
7. Decreases risk of heart disease – by helping you lose weight, stabilizing your blood sugar, and keeping your blood thin, hummus lessens your risk of developing heart disease. The folate, iron, protein and other vitamins all contribute to better heart health.
Source:
http://www.medicaldaily.com/hummus-good-you-6-health-issues-superfood-dip-can-treat-326708
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Steele Roddick
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