Green Chickpeas

Chickpeas, also commonly known as Bengal gram, garbanzo beans, or Egyptian beans, are hugely popular. However, we are used to seeing only ripe ones! Learn more about green chickpeas today.

These beans are full of protein content and are harvested at peak of their freshness. These green garbanzo beans were introduced to India in the 18th century.

Green chickpeas are sold with attached branches they grow on. They can be eaten on spot by opening their pods, and are packed with the taste and freshness of peas, along with a touch of peanut taste.

These chickpeas can be added to different recipes. For instance, they can be cooked as nimona, which is a savory item in Indian cuisine.

Green chickpea nutrition:

Green chickpeas, also known as Chholia in Pakistan and India, is the most delicious winter vegetable with high nutritional content. It is utilized both in the raw form or the cooked one.

Green chickpeas are often added to rice for making pulao and curries. They are rich in proteins and essential vitamins. About 280 grams of chickpeas are packed with 260 calories, 17% fats, 0% cholesterol, 28% sodium, 40% dietary fibers, and 12% carbohydrates. These are actually the most widely consumed beans worldwide!

What are green chickpeas?

These are a summer crop that is usually harvested in late summer or early fall. Green chickpeas are prepared in a variety of ways to enjoy them.

Green chickpeas can be consumed raw, fried, steamed, or cooked and can add texture to simple dishes. They are often added in salads, rice or are cooked as a side dish. They add extra benefits to your diet, for instance helping you to get an extra serving of protein in a plant based diet.

Chickpeas are also full of antioxidants and fiber. The leaves of green chickpeas are also edible and are harvested before the pods are ready. The farmers often prune the stalks and cook the leaves, as these are not only delicious but also full of nutrition. However, the leaves sold in markets are too withered to be worth much.

These beans are also an excellent source of folate, which is vitamin B9, and also contains vitamin A and C, along with antioxidants. Antioxidants are the chemicals responsible for eliminating toxins from your body. They also remove reactive oxygen species from your body that are responsible for cell damage. Lastly, green chickpeas are a good source of phytonutrients.

Benefits of green chickpeas:

Their nutrition is not the only great thing about chickpeas. Learn about some more green chickpea benefits:

Keep your stomach full:

The nutritional content of chickpeas helps to keep control of your appetite. The fiber and protein help slow down the digestion process and promote fullness. These chickpeas can also increase the levels of appetite-reducing hormones, and provide a filling effect that lowers the calorie intake.

A study compared the appetite and calorie intake of a group of 12 females. Reduction in appetite was seen in the group that was fed chickpeas, as compared to the other, which was fed white bread.

Helps to manage your weight:

The filling effect of chickpeas helps you to manage your weight, because of the fiber and protein that keep your stomach full. The filling effect reduces the calorie intake and helps to lower the waist circumference, as compared to those that didn’t add chickpeas to their diet.

According to another study, the addition of chickpeas to daily meal plans helps to lose 25% of more weight, as compared to those who don’t eat them.

Helps to regulate blood sugar levels:

Chickpeas also help to manage your sugar level and help to lower the glycemic index. Low glycemic index foods are recommended by nutritionists for blood sugar management.

Chickpeas help to regulate the sugar level and help to slow down the absorption of carbs. Steady absorption of carbohydrates helps you to manage your sugar level.

Adding a bowl (200 grams) of chickpeas to your diet plan can help you to decrease 36% of blood sugar level, compared to those eating white bread.

Aids digestion:

The fiber of green chickpeas is water-soluble and blends well with water to make a gel-like substance in your GIT tract. Fiber helps to boost the levels of beneficial bacteria in the GIT tract. It also helps to reduce the growth of harmful bacteria.

Fiber also helps reduce the risk of digestive problems like bowel syndrome and colon cancer, and it helps in bowel regulation.

Help prevent heart disease and other disorders:

The high mineral content of chickpeas, including magnesium and potassium, support cardiac health and prevent high blood pressure. It also helps to reduce the triglyceride level and LDL (the bad cholesterol level), which helps to reduce the chances of cardiac arrest. It also can help to avoid certain types of cancer.

The saponins found in chickpeas also help in reducing certain types of tumors. It also helps to keep your brain healthy. Chickpeas are also a source of choline, which is a chemical that acts as a neurotransmitter to send messages to nerve cells. In short, they are full of health benefits and are a good addition to your daily meals.