Health Benefits Of Chickpea Flour

Chickpea flour is a great product for making pastries, obtained by grinding chickpeas. It is a very popular ingredient in the Middle East and India, where it is used to make falafels and hummus. Chickpea flour is high in fiber and protein, several minerals and vitamins, including group B, which makes it very nutritious.

Consumption of chickpea flour is a great option to increase the intake of fiber, from the lack of which people often suffer. It fits well in vegan diets and is suitable for those who have a gluten intolerance. It is suitable for preparing both salty and sweet dishes.

Nutritional value per 100 grams of chickpea flour:

• 387 calories;
• 22.39 grams of protein;
• 57.82 grams of carbohydrates;
• 10.80 grams of fiber;
• 6.69 grams of fat.

100 grams of chickpea flour contains about 25% of the recommended daily intake of iron, 150 milligrams (34%) of magnesium, 2.5 grams of zinc, 400 micrograms of folate. Chickpea flour is also a rich source of thiamine, phosphorus, copper and manganese.

Health benefits from eating chickpea flour foods

Chickpea flour is a good choice for vegetarians because it contains large amounts of protein.

To the benefits we add improved heart health. Legumes generally help lower bad cholesterol and are suitable for any healthy diet.

Due to the fact that it is slowly absorbed by the body, chickpea flour has a medium glycemic index, which makes it suitable for people with diabetes if used in limited quantities.

Chickpeas are rich in resistant starch, which is a food source for good intestinal bacteria. Thanks to them, we protect our body from metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

The product promotes weight loss due to the high amount of protein and fiber. Foods prepared with flour give satiety for a long time, are suitable for adherence to a gluten-free diet. Chickpea flour can successfully replace white flour and it makes good pastries. If you suffer from a severe allergy, it is very important to be careful not to buy a package that may be "contaminated" with gluten.

Contraindications

If you suffer from an individual allergy to chickpeas, then you should also avoid flour from it. This type of allergy is common in people who are allergic to soy, peas, lentils and hazelnuts.

Storage

Chickpea flour is easy to find, but it is important to store it properly. It is best, after opening the package, to store it in a tightly closed box in a dry and cool place, and even in the refrigerator. If you need to store it for months, you should put it in the freezer.

How to make chickpea flour yourself

You can easily make your own chickpea flour by grinding finely dried chickpeas.

You can also get flour from canned chickpeas, but it should be used immediately after cooking. To do this, spread the chickpeas in a pan and bake them at 220 degrees for 30-40 minutes, then grind them.

When you have chickpea flour you can use it in different ways. It is not suitable for kneading classic bread with yeast or yeast, but is good for muffins, quick banana breads, pancakes and other pastries. Chickpea flour has a pleasant nutty taste.