Horse Gram (Channa Dal), a Super Food: Know its Multiple Benefits

Horse gram aka chana dal is one of the most popular legumes in India. It is filled with fibre and other essential nutrients which add up to its popularity. Chana dal can be consumed in multiple ways and is an extremely delicious staple in India. With its rich flavour and aroma, it can finely complement special delicacies like soups, salads, and rice dishes. Moreover, when it’s united with rice and chapati, it gives complete protein to the body. This dal is easy to digest and offers multiple benefits to the body. Here are some great health benefits of adding this dal to your diet.

• Great for the heart: Chana dal is filled with fibre which assists in keeping a tab on the LDL (bad cholesterol levels) and further reduces the stress from the heart. Consuming chana dal also helps in reducing the blockages of veins and further increase the circulation of blood in the body. You can consume it in the form of soups, add it to your salads or grind it and make dosa or pancakes from it.
• Strengthen muscles: Chana dal offers great quantities of protein which helps in strengthening your muscles. 100 grams of chana dal provide about 13grams of protein. It further helps in repairing, oxygenating, digesting and regulating the tissues in the body and ensures smooth functioning of the body.
• Build immunity: Along with Vitamin C, protein also lays the foundation of a strong immune system. As chana dal is rich in protein, it helps in supporting the immune system and gears it up to combat various infections.
• Help in weight loss: Chana dal offers great quantities of fibre which helps in keeping you feel fuller for a longer period of time. In addition to this, it is enriched with healthy fats- both of which keep you satiated for a prolonged period and thus help in managing weight. You can enjoy it in the form of pancakes to get the dosage of all vital nutrients and to reduce your cravings until the next meal.
• Lower blood sugar levels: Chana dal is extremely beneficial for those with diabetes as it has a low glycaemic index and high quantities of fibre and other heart-healthy nutrients which helps in lowering down high blood sugar levels.

Footnote

Do add this nutritious dal to your diet and enrich yourself with the essential nutrients. You can also roast and powder this dal into besan and enjoy it in various ways. Watch out for this space to know interesting and easy to make recipes from chana dal.