Reasons why you should include hummus in your diet
Hummus is a dish that originates from the Middle East, and is rich in good fats, fiber and vegetable proteins.
Nutritionist Nicole Shubruk adds several reasons to make this delicious spread more often.
It is an excellent source of fiber
Made from chickpeas, hummus is naturally rich in fiber, and studies confirm that chickpea fiber has a positive effect on intestinal health, mostly due to the support of beneficial bacteria that improve intestinal health.
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It can help stabilize sugar levels
Legumes such as chickpeas are rich in protein, starch, and fiber, so we digest them more slowly, which means that they have a low glycemic index (GI) and release their energy more stably, and consuming food with a low GI helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
It's good for the heart
Hummus contains chickpeas rich in fiber, then olive oil and sesame seeds, which are full of monounsaturated fats that are healthy for the heart.
Recent studies show that such foods can not only help reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol but can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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It can help maintain body weight
Adding chickpeas to the diet is associated with lower weight, lower body mass index (BMI), and lower waist circumference. One of the reasons for this is amylose starch in chickpeas which is more resistant to our digestive enzymes, which means that food is less digestible.
It is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients
The classic ingredients involved in making traditional hummus such as chickpeas, sesame seeds, and olive oil have numerous health benefits, including an anti-inflammatory effect.
Virgin olive oil is said to have an anti-inflammatory effect as strong as ibuprofen.
Most people are safe to eat this healthy and delicious dish, but people allergic to some of the ingredients should definitely avoid it, the nutritionist told the BBC.
Read Next: Chicken in red sauce.
By: Sarah R.
