Dry roasted chana (chickpeas) has for long been eaten as a munching snack in India. People carry it along when traveling or for munching on at work. Believe it or not, eating roasted chana is one of the healthiest snack options out there.

This salty and crackling snack is appetizing along with being a healthy and guilt-free snack. You can munch on these as much as you want without fearing for your health. Munching on roasted chana will also decrease your intake of processed food items like chips or biscuits.

Here are some health benefits of eating roasted chana:

1. High in protein

Several studies have proven time and again that chickpeas are an excellent source of protein. Roasting them doesn’t hamper its nutritional value at all. Protein is needed for the repair and formation of new cells which promotes the growth and development especially in children, teens and pregnant women.

2. Good for weight loss

Roasted chana is also an excellent source of dietary fiber. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, dietary fiber supplementation facilitates weight loss through reduced frequency of eating and food consumption. Consumption of high fiber food makes you feel fuller for longer periods of time. Eating high fiber foods also aids digestion and prevents constipation.

3. Good for diabetics

Foods with low glycemic index (GI) are excellent for all diabetes patients. Having a low GI means that the intake of that particular food item will not fluctuate your blood sugar levels as high as other food items. Since chickpeas have a low GI of 28, that makes roasted chana a great snack for diabetics.

4. Good for building healthy bones

Roasted chana is an excellent source of pivotal rudiments that help your body in maintaining healthy bones and precluding a host of conditions. According to a study published by the NCBI manganese and phosphorus present in roasted chana help your body in maintaining healthy bone health and precluding conditions similar to abnormal bone conformations, cadaverous fragility, joint pains, etc.

5. Good for cardiovascular health

Roasted chana is also a rich source of manganese, folate, phosphorus and copper which has proven benefits for our cardiovascular health. Phosphorus especially is known to improve our blood circulation and keep our heart healthy.

So, nosh on roasted chana whenever you feel like just munching on a snack!