Nut (Turkish peas, mutton peas, nahat, golden grains, kabuli-chana) - a culture known to people more than 7 thousand years BC. e. Originally from the Middle East, the plant was popular in Ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt. Turkish peas have truly amazing properties. It naturally cures wheat and barley from diseases that affect them. This plant with its root system is able to strengthen the soil and prevent erosion, and also enriches the soil around it with nitrogen in the process of life. The benefits of it for human health will be discussed further.
What is chickpea
Chickpea is an annual bean plant. In the pods are 2-3 peas, reminiscent of the head of a ram. Grains can vary in color (from golden yellow to almost black). The energy value of the product is 364 kcal per 100 g, fats - 4.3 g, proteins - 20 g, carbohydrates - 61 g, fiber - 17 g.
Did you know? Mark Tullius - the ancient Roman orator, now known as Cicero, owes his nickname to chickpeas. Its nose resembled a bean in shape and in translation Cicero literally means "chickpeas."
Turkish pea grains are very rich in vitamins and minerals:
- calcium;
- potassium;
- selenium;
- magnesium;
- iron;
- B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6, B9);
- beta carotene;
- vitamin A;
- vitamin C;
- vitamin E.
In eastern countries, special ointments are made from chickpea flour, which treat burns, scabies and skin inflammations. Also, peas contain 18 amino acids that a person needs for vital processes.Useful and harmful properties for the body
Due to its rich composition, nahat can not only become an original dish on the table, but also have a therapeutic effect on the human body. It should be noted that the calorie content of chickpeas is quite low, and nutritional value, on the contrary, is high.
When losing weight
Due to the large amount of fiber and nutrients in grains, Turkish peas are able to bring a feeling of fullness from a fairly small portion (100-150 g), which is very important for people who want to lose weight. The protein contained in the product is easily absorbed by the body. At the same time, peas do not contain saturated fats.
Important! For vegetarians, nahat is a complete substitute for meat products.
Fiber also helps to eliminate toxins from the body (absorbs itself like a sponge) and improve intestinal motility. Pea is a low glycemic index product. All this together makes chickpeas a diet food that helps to improve metabolism and get rid of extra pounds without a significant deficiency of vitamins and minerals.
For the genitourinary system
Chickpeas are good for both men and women. The presence of a large amount of protein and an amino acid called methionine in it contributes to the rapid buildup and restoration of muscle mass during physical exertion. Folic acid helps men improve sperm quality (increases sperm count and motility), promotes cell renewal in the body, rejuvenates the skin and improves the course of pregnancy in women.
Iron helps restore hemoglobin levels during blood loss during childbirth and menstruation, feeding. The presence of a large amount of potassium contributes to the fact that Turkish peas remove excess fluid from the human body, thereby eliminating edema. This means that chickpeas have a diuretic property.
If you take a decoction of chopped chickpeas with radish, celery and almond oil, you can prevent the formation of sand and stones in the bladder. Nevertheless, people who have problems with the bladder or kidney stones should discuss with their doctor how and how much chickpeas can be consumed so that they will not harm themselves out of ignorance.
For the liver
Lamb peas have a beneficial effect on the liver, which cleanses the human body of toxins. The presence of a large amount of fiber in the product also allows you to remove harmful substances, which greatly facilitates the work of the liver.
A large amount of selenium inhibits the development of cancer cells and hepatitis B and C viruses, thereby protecting the liver from diseases. The general positive effect of nahat on the body positively affects the work of all organs.
For the cardiovascular system
The use of Turkish peas can reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Peas are also useful for lowering blood pressure, and have a vasodilating effect. High levels of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C and B6 help maintain heart health.
A large number of antioxidants in lamb peas, strengthens the walls of blood vessels. The presence of polyunsaturated fats favorably affects the functioning of the cells of the cardiovascular system as a whole.
How to use sprouted chickpeas
Sprouted chickpeas contain several times more useful vitamins and minerals than dry or cooked using heat treatment. In grains containing awakening sprouts, powerful natural mechanisms appear, intended for their growth and life support. So, for example, the amount of B vitamins in the sprouted grain increases by 2 times, vitamin C becomes 18 times more, the amount of antioxidants is 6 times more than in dry peas.
PAt the same time, the calorie content of the sprouts is not high enough - 116 kcal per 100 g of product, fats - 1.1 g; proteins - 7.4 g; carbohydrates - 21 g. This makes Turkish pea sprouts a dietary product that is especially valuable for human health. Doctors advise using it to restore intestinal microflora in case of dysbiosis, colitis and even gastritis, diabetes.
Important! Sprouts more than 1 cm tall become stiff and bitter. Germination should be stopped no later than 48 hours after soaking.
Germinated chickpeas protect the body from free radicals that cause oncology. In winter and spring, pea seedlings are an indispensable source of vitamins and minerals that helps strengthen immunity and avoid vitamin deficiency.
To prepare sprouted chickpeas you must
- Rinse chickpeas, remove popped grains (they are dead).
- Soak the peas for 8–10 hours in room temperature water.
- Drain the water, rinse the swollen peas with plenty of water.
- Spread nahat on a flat surface at room temperature (not higher than + 20 ° C, otherwise the product will turn sour) and cover with a wet cloth.
- Sprouts will start to hatch in 12 hours.
- The optimal size of a germ of 0.5–1 cm is achieved after 24–48 hours (depending on the variety and germination conditions).
- Thoroughly rinse the prepared seedlings of Turkish peas until the smell disappears, put them in a container, do not close the lid tightly.
- Store the product in the refrigerator for no more than 3-4 days.
Pea shoots should be used fresh, without additional heat treatment. They can be eaten as an independent delicacy or added to any vegetable salads along with greens. You can use sprouted nahat as a side dish for meat or fish. At the same time, for better assimilation of trace elements and vitamins, nutritionists advise seasoning the product with a small amount of sunflower, olive or other oil.
Did you know? Ground roasted chickpeas have been used as a substitute for coffee since the 18th century. Its nutty flavor gives the drink a unique piquancy. However, it has no contraindications for hypertensive patients.
Contraindications
Despite the obvious benefits to the body, chickpeas have a number of contraindications for ingestion. It can not be used by people with irritable bowel syndrome, because legumes can cause flatulence. Even healthy people should be careful and gradually introduce it into the diet. Also, people with inflammation of the kidneys or area of the bladder should avoid foods containing chickpeas because of its active diuretic properties. A large amount of fiber makes peas a rather coarse product, which is why in the presence of ulcers, erosion of the stomach or duodenum, it is categorically impossible to eat.
Chickpeas are truly a storehouse of nutrients. In the absence of contraindications for use and proper germination, Turkish peas can successfully cover the needs of the human body for vitamins, trace elements and amino acids in the winter, and help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
It will also be useful in the diet of athletes who are actively building muscle mass, those who are vigilant about their health and want to lose weight, and successfully replace meat during fasting or during vegetarianism. The cost of chickpeas is quite low, which makes it accessible to any person all year round.
