How Hummus Packs Powerhouse Nutrition Into Your Daily Diet
By Teresa Garvey, MS, RD, CSOWM, Registered Dietitian
Virtua Food Farmacy
Hummus is a creamy, chickpea-based spread that’s been eaten around the world for thousands of years. It's delicious, versatile, comes in a ton of flavors, and it's inexpensive (especially if you make it yourself). More importantly, eating hummus in moderation provides a powerhouse of health-boosting nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants. It’s almost hard to describe all the health benefits of eating it regularly...it really is that good for you.
Sounds promising, but can eating more hummus really change your health for the better? Here's what you need to know about ALL the health benefits of its key ingredients.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas are full of fiber and protein. That combination helps you stay full longer, making them helpful for weight management. They have exceptionally high levels of iron, vitamin B6, and magnesium, which can reverse anemia, support heart health, and slow bone loss. You can use canned chickpeas (and rinse them well to reduce sodium content) or dried chickpeas, which are cheaper but need to be soaked overnight, rinsed, and cooked.
Tahini
Tahini is a word with Arabic and Modern Greek origins, and it means “to crush or grind.” That’s what you do to make tahini; you grind sesame seeds into a paste with a bit of olive oil. Think of it as “sesame butter.” Sesame seeds are high in vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, and other minerals, and pack a major protein punch. They also contain phytosterols, which are plant compounds that can reduce cholesterol and even decrease your risk of developing certain cancers. You can make your own tahini at home, or look for it in a specialty aisle at your local grocery store.
Garlic
Many studies have reported that eating garlic, which contains lots of antioxidants and a special sulfur compound called allicin, can do incredible things. This includes boosting heart health, preventing colds, strengthening the immune system, fighting cancer, and reducing the symptoms of chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a healthy fat, and its presence in hummus means your body can better absorb the fat-soluble vitamins present in the other ingredients, and anything you eat it with. This superfood's many benefits include:
- Decreasing the risk of developing certain cancers
- Helping prevent cancer recurrence after treatment
- Helping lower cholesterol and blood pressure
- Helping ease inflammatory conditions and slow bone loss
On a final note, hummus is gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free, which means that just about everyone can eat it, even those on restricted diets.
Schedule an appointment today
Call 888-847-8823 to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment with a Virtua Health registered dietitian who can help you with sports nutrition and weight loss or work with you to develop a healthy, well-balanced eating plan.
Updated June 29, 2021
