Health benefits of hummus

Made from chickpeas, ground-up sesame seeds, and a whole lotta other good stuff, hummus is a popular dip that originated from the Middle East. Why do we love hummus? Aside from it being absolutely delicious, hummus is actually pretty good for you too. Packed with nutrients, hummus has been linked to a variety of health benefits, so there’s no need to feel guilty about taking one (or three) last dips. Here, we explore the health benefits of hummus, as well as its nutritional profile. Enjoy!

Hummus nutritional profile

Hummus contains a variety of nutrients, including but not limited to:¹

• Plant-based protein: provides the building blocks for healthy muscles and tissues. Plant-based protein tends to be lower in calories than its animal-based counterpart, so can help maintain a healthy weight as part of a balanced diet²
• Fibre: normalises bowel movements and helps maintain a healthy digestive system
• Calcium: contributes to the maintenance of normal bones
• Magnesium: plays a role in the body’s energy levels, as well as keeping your bones strong, heart healthy, and blood sugar normal³
• Iron: contributes to energy yielding metabolism and cognitive function, the immune system, and the regulation of body temperature⁴
• Zinc: helps support immune function

The health benefits of hummus

Here are just some of the many health benefits of hummus:⁵

It may help maintain blood sugar levels

The amount of chickpeas featured within hummus links it to maintaining blood sugar levels in the body. Why? Chickpeas have a low glycemic index, which means they are digested slower and then absorbed, causing a slower, more balanced rise in blood sugar levels. Chickpeas are also rich in protein, antinutrients, and resistant starch, which are all known to slow down the digestion of carbs.⁶

Naturally free of gluten, nut, and dairy

If you’re allergic to gluten, nut, and/or dairy, you can still enjoy hummus as a delicious dip. It’s naturally free from gluten, nut, and dairy, which means it’s a good choice for people with nut allergies, celiac disease, and/or lactose intolerance.⁷ However, it’s important to keep in mind that people with irritable bowel syndrome should try not to eat too much hummus. Chickpeas are high in raffinose, which sufferers of this condition are sensitive to.⁸ For more healthy snacks to enjoy guilt-free, explore the Holland & Barrett selection of tempting savoury snacks. Last updated: 23 June 2020 Sources 1 https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/hummus-healthy 2 https://www.naturespath.com/en-us/blog/benefits-plant-based-protein/ 3 https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-diet-magnesium 4 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/287228 5 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-hummus-healthy#section4 6 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28976933/ 7 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-hummus-healthy#section7 8 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4843040/