Chickpeas are indeed very good for you, not least because two to three tablespoons equate to one portion of the daily recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables.

Chickpeas also contain phytoestrogens which are weak plant versions of real oestrogen. There's evidence that these may modulate the body's own production of the hormone in a way that could lower the risk of breast cancer, protect against osteoporosis and minimise hot flushes in post-menopausal women.

Other ways you could consider using chickpeas are in salads, (they are particularly good with tuna and sweetcorn), toasted as a snack (stir fry them in some olive oil until golden) or as the basis for spicy Indian food.

Both are equally good sources of fibre, including soluble fibre which can help to lower cholesterol.

Whichever sort you eat, don't go too mad as they can cause wind!

Health benefits

Fibre Advantage and Weight Loss: Like other beans, Chickpeas, are rich in both soluble and insoluble dietary fibre. Soluble fibre forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract that snares bile (which contains cholesterol) and ferries it out of the body. Research studies have shown that insoluble fibre not only helps to increase stool bulk and prevent constipation, but also helps prevent digestive disorders.

Protein for Vegetarians: Chickpeas are a good source of protein. Combined with a whole grain such as whole-wheat protein, they provide amount of protein comparable to that of meat or dairy foods without the high calories or saturated fats.

Manganese for Energy Production: Garbanzos are an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese, which is an essential cofactor in a number of enzymes important in energy production and antioxidant defences. Just one cup of garbanzo beans supplies 84.5% of the daily value for this mineral.

Iron Boost: Garbanzos can boost your energy because of their high iron content. This is particularly important for menstruating women, pregnant or lactating women and growing children. Iron is an integral component of haemoglobin, which transports oxygen from the lungs to all body cells, and is part of key enzyme systems for energy production and metabolism.

Stabilizing Blood Sugar and Low Glycaemic Index (GI): Soluble fibre helps stabilize blood sugar levels. If you have insulin resistance, hypoglycaemia or diabetes, beans like garbanzos can help you balance blood sugar levels while providing steady, slow-burning energy. They have low GI value of 28 – 32 means the carbohydrate in them is broken down and digested slowly. This is helpful for weight loss as it controls appetite.

Heart Healthy: Regular intake of Chickpeas can lower LDL (bad) and total cholesterol. Garbanzos contain the significant amounts of folate and magnesium. Folate lowers the levels of the amino acid, homocysteine and strengthens the blood vessels. Studies have found chickpeas lower the risk of heart attack

For Women: Garbanzo contain phytochemicals called saponins, which can act as antioxidants. It could lower the risk of breast cancer, protect against osteoporosis and minimizes hot flushes in post-menopausal women.

Weight Loss: Due to high fibre content and low GI, chickpeas are excellent for weight loss diets. Salad with chickpeas are tasty and can keep you full longer, controlling the appetite.

Protein Boost: Arguably the most significant aspect of chickpeas is the high protein content, making it an ideal option for vegetarians who want to ensure they have proper nutrient intake. However, chickpeas are not “complete” proteins, meaning that they should not be relied on as a sole source of proteins. That being said, chickpeas are an important source of the proteins needed for growth and development, as well as proper healing and repair throughout the body.

Chronic Disease: There are a number of antioxidant compounds that can be found in chickpeas, including polyphenols, phytonutrients, beta-carotene and key vitamins, which can reduce oxidative stress in the body and prevent chronic disease. Antioxidants seek out free radicals, the dangerous by products of cellular metabolism, which can cause healthy cells to mutate. These antioxidants can help protect the body from cancer, coronary heart disease, macular degeneration, and even cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Digestive Problems: Digestion is the starting point for health in the human body, so ensuring that your gastrointestinal system is working properly is key. The high levels of dietary fibre found in chickpeas can help to bulk up your stool content and keep your bowel movements regular, while also eliminating inflammation, cramping, bloating and constipation. This can also improve nutrient digestion and ensure that you’re getting all of the nutritional value from your food.

Diabetic Management: Blood sugar management is important for everyone, not only those who are suffering from diabetes, and chickpeas has shown a strong ability to regular blood sugar levels through the optimization of digestion. This is believed to come directly from the soluble fibre levels found in chickpeas, in addition to a solid and balanced nutrient profile. By ensuring that our body maintains normal levels of insulin and blood sugar, chickpeas can prevent the development of diabetes and help people manage the condition.

Weight Loss: The high density of nutrients, combined with the dietary fibre content of chickpeas, makes the perfect for people trying to lose weight. The fibre helps the body feel satiated and full for longer, by interacting with ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and partially inhibiting its release. The blend of nutrients and minerals also keeps the body energized and active, preventing fatigue and between-meal snacking. This make chickpeas great for reducing caloric intake overall, because you simply don’t feel hungry, despite the 270 calories per cup of chickpeas.

Strong Bones: The concentrated minerals found in garbanzo beans, including iron, phosphorous, magnesium, copper and zinc mean that these beans are exceptionally good for bone health. Many of those minerals are essential when trying to improve bone mineral density and prevent age-related conditions like osteoporosis.

Genetic Defects: Folate is an important B vitamin for many different reasons, but it is most often associated with the potential benefits it can have for women. Low folate levels are closely associated with neural tube defects and other complications with the birth of children, so adding folate-rich chickpeas to your diet, particularly during pregnancy, is a delicious way to ensure your baby’s healthy deliver.

Heart Health: Our cardiovascular health gets a boost in two different ways from garbanzo beans; first of all, the high levels of soluble fibre help to scrap cholesterol and rebalance those levels in our heart, thus preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes. Furthermore, the only fats that are found in garbanzo beans are omega-3 fatty acids, which are the beneficial polyunsaturated fats that our bodies require. This further protects the heart and helps to reduce inflammation throughout the body.

Word of Warning: While the majority of chickpea benefits are wonderful, they do possess compounds called purines, which can be broken down by the body into uric acid. If you suffer from kidney stones, gall stones, or gout, you may want to avoid the consumption of chickpeas, as they could exacerbate the conditions if consumed in large enough quantities.