Hummus is an incredibly popular Middle Eastern dip and spread.
It is typically made by blending chickpeas (garbanzo beans), tahini (ground sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice and garlic in a food processor.
Not only is hummus delicious, but it is also versatile, packed with nutrients and has been linked to many impressive health and nutritional benefits
Here are 8 scientifically proven benefits of hummus
Hummus is a great source of dietary fiber, which can improve digestive health.
It provides 6 grams of dietary fiber per 3.5 ounces (100 grams), which is equal to 24% of the daily fiber recommendation for women and 16% for men
Thanks to its high fiber content, hummus can help keep you regular. This is because dietary fiber helps soften and add bulk to stools so that they are easier to pass
What’s more, dietary fiber also helps feed the healthy bacteria that live in your gut.
One study found that adding 200 grams of chickpeas (or raffinose fiber from chickpeas) to the diet for three weeks helped promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, while suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria
Some of the fiber in hummus may be converted by gut bacteria into the short-chain fatty acid butyrate. This fatty acid helps nourish the colon cells and has many impressive benefits
Laboratory studies have shown that butyrate production is linked to a lower risk of colon cancer and other health problems
.
