Chickpeas (chick peas)

Turkish peas, or chickpeas, are a leguminous plant with unusually shaped grains. It has a straight stem, on the surface of which there are small hairs. The plant can reach 70 cm in height, it reproduces by self-pollination. Turkish peas are very fond of warmth, their homeland is Central Asia. At the moment, it is also actively grown in India, Eastern Europe and some regions of Africa.

Mankind has known this plant for a very long time. In particular, peas were found in Greece, whose age is more than 7000 years. In Iraq, archaeologists have found chickpea seeds that have grown since the Bronze Age. It was used not only as food, but also for medicinal purposes. And he did not deserve his fame in vain: now it is one of the most consumed legumes in the world after beans and peas.

Useful properties of chickpea

Just a few grains of chickpeas a day are enough to saturate the body with all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals. This product improves the condition of all internal organs, stimulates blood circulation and supports heart health.

Often, chickpea seeds are consumed in sprouted form, as they contain an increased concentration of vitamin C and some other substances. If desired, you can eat it in canned form, since in this case it retains all its beneficial properties.

Chickpeas allow you to regulate blood sugar levels, which is very useful for people with diabetes. Due to the high concentration of fiber, with regular use of the product, digestion improves, including the condition of the intestines. ^[1]. Like any other legume, chickpeas can provide the body with a sufficient amount of energy, while being digested for a long time.

Composition of turkish peas

Chickpeas are famous for their high concentration of essential amino acids, including methionine and tryptophan, beneficial minerals, and vegetable proteins and fats.

Chickpeas contain approximately 30% protein ^[2], which is not inferior in quality to the protein contained in chicken and duck eggs. In addition, the product contains about 50-60% high quality carbohydrates, up to 5% minerals and a wide range of vitamins, including A, C, group B, PP ^[2]. With so many nutrients, including high quality proteins, chickpeas can be eaten in place of meat and are often included in a vegetarian diet along with soy. In addition, this product will be very useful if you are fasting or meat consumption is limited for medical reasons.

As mentioned earlier, chickpeas contain tryptophan, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the human nervous system. It is this amino acid that improves signal transmission between neurons, thereby strengthening the nervous system and positively affecting the brain. But most importantly, chickpeas contain selenium. Its deficiency affects well-being: as a result, weakness appears, a person gets tired faster, immunity decreases and the work of the heart muscle worsens.

Chickpeas in ancient and folk medicine

Even in ancient times, one of the famous doctors of Emperor Nero recommended regularly consuming chickpeas, especially their young grains, in order to improve the condition of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). They were even advised to use for dessert, as they do not provoke a jump in blood sugar levels and saturate for a long time. But Hippocrates recommended including Turkish peas in the diet of people suffering from skin diseases in order to improve the condition of the body. Some of the oldest evidence that this product has long been known to the population dates back to the time of Ancient Egypt. One of the ancient frescoes depicts Pharaoh Akhenaten, who is holding Turkish peas in his hands. It is believed that at that time this plant was not only widely used, but was also a symbol of the power of the ruler.

In folk medicine, it is said that regular consumption of chickpeas helps in the prevention of cataracts, which develop with age in a fairly large percentage of people. The fact is that a cataract is a clouding of the lens that impairs vision and can eventually lead to complete blindness. The transparency of the lens depends on how well the metabolic processes in the body occur. It is metabolic disorders that lead to the fact that the body accumulates a large amount of toxins, which ultimately provoke the development of diseases such as cataracts, and also generally worsen the condition of the body. Chickpeas help cleanse the body, allow fluids to circulate normally inside the eye, and generally improve well-being. ^[2].

The use of Turkish peas

The insoluble dietary fiber contained in chickpeas helps to normalize bowel function and also improves stool. This product is also included in diets for anemia and elevated hemoglobin levels. In addition, chickpeas can act as an effective prevention of oncology. The amino acids contained in it in the body are processed into the “hormone of joy”, serotonin, which helps the body fight depression, supports the nervous system in states of anxiety and improves mood.

Chickpeas are very useful in the following cases ^[4]:

• blood pressure stabilization;
• prevention of gastrointestinal pathologies;
• cleansing the body of toxins;
• improvement of the digestive system;
• normalization of the liver.

A decoction of Turkish peas helps with diseases of the genitourinary system and significantly improves metabolism. This product is often prescribed to women during pregnancy or lactation, as it provides a fairly large amount of iron needed by the body, as well as vitamin PP. In addition, chickpeas can be considered an environmentally friendly product, as it does not accumulate toxins and harmful nitrates.

To get the maximum benefit from chickpeas, it is advisable to germinate them. It retains its taste, but becomes even more useful, especially since it is very easy to make. For this you need to take dried peas and rinse them thoroughly. Then place the chickpeas in a jar, fill with cold water at the rate of 1:4 and leave at room temperature at 12 o’clock. After this time, drain the liquid in which the seeds were, rinse them. Place the swollen grains in a food container, cover with a lid and leave at room temperature for another day. After a while, you will noticethat the chickpeas are starting to sprout. If this does not happen, it must be thoroughly washed again and left for another 12 hours. After the first sprouts appear, dry the peas – and they are ready to eat.

In order to start sprouting chickpeas, it is enough to take about one and a half glasses. If you do not use all the sprouted peas at once, the remaining ones can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. At the same time, you can use such a product in its pure form, simply by cleaning it, or use it instead of a side dish and vegetables, and also add it to salads.

What to cook from sprouted chickpea

The simplest and very healthy chickpea recipe is hummus. To prepare it, you need to take 250 g of chickpeas, 50 g of vegetable oil, preferably olive or linseed, a few cloves of garlic, a little cilantro and freshly squeezed juice from one lemon. As a seasoning, you can use pepper, paprika and add a little seaweed. All this must be placed in a blender and beat thoroughly, adding about a glass of cold water.

Turkish peas to cleanse the body

To help the body cleanse itself, use the following recipe. It is necessary to take peas, pour it with cold boiled water and leave it to soak for 8-12 hours at room temperature, best of all in a glass or ceramic dish. After that, you need to grind it using a meat grinder or blender, and consume it in small portions throughout the day. Chickpeas can be added to a variety of dishes, including cereals and soups, if you don’t like the taste of them in their pure form. Treatment should be continued for a week. As a result, the body is cleansed of toxins and saturated with useful substances, and metabolism improves, which contributes to weight loss. Such cleansing should be carried out within three months, taking a seven-day break after a week of using peas. ^[2].

Harmful properties of turkish peas

By itself, chickpeas do not contain harmful substances and have practically no contraindications for use. However, like any other legume, it takes a long time to digest, so it should be avoided by people who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, it is not recommended to get involved in the use of legumes for ulcers, inflammation of the bladder or constipation. ^[4].

When it comes to whether or not to include chickpeas in the diet of children or the elderly, it is very important to consult a doctor in order to avoid unpleasant consequences. In any case, you need to start using it with small portions, including because children may have an allergic reaction. In addition, dishes made from chickpeas are not recommended to be washed down with water so that it is better digested. Be sure to take a break of at least 4 hours before your next meal so that the peas have time to digest and not cause digestive problems.

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