6 Incredible Benefits Of Adding Yellow Chana To Your Diet

Yellow chana dal is a type of legume that originated in the Middle East and India. These small, round, golden-coloured beans have a nutty flavour and a creamy texture when cooked. They are a staple ingredient in many Indian dishes like chana masala, a spicy chickpea curry. 

They thrive in warm climates and are widely grown across India, especially in states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan which together produce over 70% of the country's yield. The largest chana producing districts are Indore, Dhar, Jhabua and Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh. They are a rich source of protein for vegetarians and vegans and their versatility makes them an integral part of Indian cuisine. Whether enjoyed in curries, salads, snacks or as a side dish, yellow chana is truly nutritious and delicious. 

Chana are especially high in folate, iron, and manganese. Folate helps make healthy red blood cells. Iron carries oxygen through your body. Manganese supports your bones and metabolism. The fiber in chana can aid digestion. As per National Library of Medicine, eating yellow chana regularly can help give you lasting energy and keep your body working properly. Their great nutrition and flavour make them a smart addition to salads, soups, curries, and more! 

Image credit: Freepik

Here are the top 6 amazing benefits of eating Roasted Chana: 

1. Prevent Iron Deficiency 

Yellow chana has iron. Iron helps your body make red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen everywhere in your body. Oxygen gives you energy and helps you grow big and strong. Chana also helps your brain work well. Just a small handful of chana gives you lots of iron. So eat up and stay healthy! 

Image credit: Freepik

2. Manage Blood Sugar 

Yellow chana dals have protein, fiber, and complex carbs. Yellow chana help your body absorb sugar slowly. This keeps your blood sugar from spiking. As per the National Library of Medicine, eating yellow chana may help lower your chance of getting type 2 diabetes.  

3. Promote Brain Health 

You might think yellow chana dal dishes are boring, but they contain a lot of choline. Choline helps your brain work right. Eating yellow chana can make you smarter. Try to eat them often in the form of simple dals, lentil soups and even tadka-based curries. You can put them in salads or make hummus. Yellow chana are little but they have big benefits for your brain. 

Image credit: Freepik

4. Help in Weight Loss 

Yellow chana is a healthy snack. It has lots of fiber to fill you up. The fibre and protein help you feel full longer. As per the National Library of Medicine, this can help you eat less and lose weight. Roasted yellow chana is tasty. It can satisfy your hunger so you don't eat unhealthy snacks. Just a small handful of yellow chana gives you nutrients without too many calories. 

Image credit: Freepik

5. Prevent Chronic Diseases 

Yellow chana is packed with magnesium and potassium, which help lower bad cholesterol and keep blood pressure in check. The antioxidants in yellow chana also reduce the risk of lung, breast, and colon cancers. Plus, yellow chana promotes butyrate, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid. Yellow chana is an easy way to boost your health! 

Also read: Chana Salad Recipe

6. Improve Haemoglobin 

Looking for an easy way to get more iron? Soaked yellow chana is the answer! This tasty snack is packed with iron. Iron helps your body make healthy red blood cells. So munch on chana if you're feeling low on iron. Pregnant ladies, new moms, or anyone with anemia can benefit. Just a small handful of chana can make a big difference. Enjoy this crunchy treat and boost your iron levels the delicious way!