Why Are Chickpeas Bad for You? Side Effects & Benefits (2024)

FAQs

Is there anything unhealthy about chickpeas? ›

Risks. People should not eat raw chickpeas or other raw pulses, as they can contain toxins and substances that are difficult to digest. Even cooked chickpeas have complex sugars that can be difficult to digest and lead to intestinal gas and discomfort.

Chickpeas contain oxalates, which are removed by the kidneys through urine. As oxalate levels increase in the body, they deposit in the kidney along with calcium, and produce calcium oxalate stones, a type of kidney stone. The increase in uric acid levels in the blood may promote the development of kidney stones.

Studies have found that eating more chickpeas can help make bowel movements easier and more regular. They can help lower cholesterol. Soluble fiber is good for more than gut health. It can lessen your total cholesterol and your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.

Great news! Both canned and dried varieties of chickpeas are nutritious! When purchasing canned varieties, look for those labeled "no salt added" or "low in sodium." Overall, beans are budget-friendly, but dried can often be less expensive and also more flavorful than canned.

No, chickpeas aren't considered inflammatory. Most healthcare providers consider chickpeas to be an anti-inflammatory food. This means they can help fight harmful inflammation in your body. They're also high in fiber and a good source of protein.

Since lentils have more fiber, lentils win this round. Lentils contain more protein than Chickpeas. Both chickpeas and lentils are great sources of vegetable protein. However, since lentils have more of this healthy nutrient, lentils win this round.

You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas. It's important to remember that chickpeas should not be eaten raw.

The honest answer—there's no difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans. They're just two (of many) different names for the same type of pulse. (Pulses are basically seeds of legume plants.) The word chickpea doesn't come from chickens at all—it's an evolution of the plant's Latin name, cicer arietinum.

May support blood sugar regulation

Additionally, chickpeas' fiber and protein may help regulate blood sugar levels. That's because fiber slows carb absorption to promote a steady rise in blood sugar levels rather than a spike. Eating protein-rich foods may also help maintain healthy blood sugar levels ( 2 , 17 ).

Stir them into soups, stews and pasta dishes, toss in salads or puree for a healthy appetizer.

Can I eat chickpeas straight from the can? ›

Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked chickpeas. You can eat canned chickpeas straight out of the can! (Just be sure to rinse them off before chowing down to wash out excess sodium) Otherwise, you can roast them or turn them into any number of delicious dishes, like these here.

3 Tablespoons (about 2 ounces) of chickpea flour packs slightly more folate than half of your daily needs, more than 3 times the amount of iron found in one egg, provides about 6 grams of dietary fiber (which eggs don't carry any of) and about 13 grams of protein (an egg only contains 7).

Some people may find themselves allergic or intolerant to these legumes. Chickpeas contain proteins, similar forms of which are found in soy beans, which may trigger an immune response from the body. For those with allergies, visible and common reactions include: Skin reactions such as eczema and hives.

Unlike chicken and other animal products, chickpeas contain absolutely no cholesterol. They're also a rich source of soluble fibre, which reduces the production of cholesterol in the liver and its absorption in the small intestine. A win-win for those with high cholesterol levels.

Processed foods

This is where a product from group 2 – like salt, sugar, fat or vinegar – is added to one of those minimally-processed foods. This category includes: many tinned goods, such as tomatoes, lentils and beans, tuna, chickpeas.