Chickpea flour is a popular Indian flour known as gram, besan, or garbanzo bean flour. It has been a delicious snack staple in Indian cooking for years. They are blended to make a powder that has a mild and nutty taste. Chickpea flour is made from a variety called Bengal grams.
One can easily make chickpea flour at home. It has gained a lot of popularity worldwide because it is a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour.
Here are some benefits of chickpea flour:
• May lower the formation of harmful compounds in processed foods
Chickpeas contain beneficial antioxidants, which are called polyphenols. Antioxidants are those compounds which fight against the unstable molecules called free radicals in your body. Free radicals cause the development of various diseases.
The polyphenols help decrease the harmful free radicals in your food and reverse some of the damage they can cause to your body. Also, the flour helps to reduce the acrylamide content of processed foods.
• Fewer calories than regular flour
Chickpea flour has nearly 25% fewer calories than white flour, making it less energy-dense. Consumption of more lower-calorie foods can help you reduce the intake of calories while consuming the portion sizes you’re used to.
- More fulfilling than wheat flour
Chickpea flour can help decrease your hunger by regulating the ghrelin hormone, a hunger hormone.
- Affects blood sugar less than wheat flour
Chickpea flour contains about half the carbs of white flour and can affect blood sugar differently. Consumption of foods made with chickpea flour can result in decreased blood sugar compared to products made with wheat flour.
- Packed with fibre
Chickpea flour contains a higher content of fibre, which can help improve fat blood levels. It also includes a kind of fibre which is called resistant starch. It has been linked to various health benefits.
- Higher in protein than other flours
Chickpea flour contains more protein than wheat flour, which can help decrease hunger and increase the calories you burn. Chickpeas are an excellent protein source for people who are vegetarians because they provide almost all essential amino acids.
- Substitute for wheat flour
Chickpea flour could be used as a substitute for wheat flour because it can act similarly during cooking. It is a great alternative for people with celiac disease, gluten intolerance and wheat allergy.
- Easy to make at home
It is easy to make chickpea flour at home using only dried chickpeas and a blender or grinder. Chickpea flour can be used in numerous ways and delicious Indian recipes.
