What is the one thing we love probably the most about winters? Probably the most common replies is the range of fruit and veggies the season brings along. From fresh carrots and turnips to leafy greens – our vegetable baskets get full of different vibrant winter produce. One such popular winter vegetable is hara chana (green chickpeas). Commonly known as chholia, it tastes amazing and offers a variety of health advantages too. Hara chana looks and tastes exactly like kala chana with a striking difference in color.

Health Advantages Of Hara Chana: Why To Add Green Chickpeas In Your Winter Diet:

Very like chickpeas and kala chana, green chickpeas too have a wealthy nutrient profile. Celebrity nutritionist Lovneet Batra took to her Instagram to talk at length concerning the health advantages of including green chickpeas in our winter food plan. “There are a plethora of “Green Winter vegetables”, but there’s one vegetable that is just not talked about quite a bit – green chickpeas, also often called chholia or hare chaney are my favourite. Green chickpeas are a well-liked a part of the family of legumes and in the case of nutrition and health advantages that a portion of food can offer the human body, choliyas advantages are powerful and plentiful,” she wrote alongside the post.

Also Read: Watch: Paneer Cholia Comes Loaded With Proteins And Great Taste. Do Try It This Season

Here’re 5 Dietician-Approved Advantages Of Green Chickpeas:

1. Helps In Weight Loss:

Green chickpea is a storehouse of fibre. Eating foods with high fibre content helps in reaching satiety faster (fullness post-meal). This satiating effect lasts longer since fibre-rich foods require an extended time to chew and digest within the intestinal system. The satiating effect of the high fibre and protein content of green chickpea may help with weight management.

2. Wealthy Source Of Folate:

Lentils are a fierce folate provider. Green chickpea is wealthy in vitamin B9 or folate, which can help elevate mood and manage anxiety and depression.

3. Reduces Cancer Risk:

Butyrate is a compound produced from the consumption of chickpea amongst healthy adults. Butyrate is reported to suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis, which can reduce the danger of colorectal cancer.

4. Supports Heart Health:

The high mineral content in hara chana – comparable to magnesium and potassium – support cardiac health and stop hypertension. It also incorporates a plant sterol called sitosterol that interferes with the body’s absorption of cholesterol and thereby might help to lower blood levels of cholesterol.

5. Boost Hair Growth:

While the deficiency of protein can result in a slew of problems, comparable to hair fall, hair thinning and hair breakage, consuming food items like green chickpeas (that’s loaded with protein) can boost hair growth and can even assist in enhancing the standard.

Considering the above aspects, we advise including green chickpeas in your every day food plan for overall health profit. “Eat them fresh, dried, raw, steamed, or cooked but do add this excellent vegetable to your winter food plan before it goes out of season,” concludes nutritionist Lovneet Batra.

We also bring you a delicious hara chana recipe that might be an incredible inclusion in your winter meals. It’s called hara chana masala. The dish is simple to make and tastes delicious. Click here for the hara chana masala recipe.