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The Nutrition of Hummus Dip

Fitday Editor

Hummus dip comes from Lebanese Arab roots; it is created from mashed and cooked chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, salt, lemon juice and garlic. As a staple food, it is quite popular all throughout the Middle East, but it has also caught on in other areas. While hummus dip's historical origin is actually unknown, that doesn't prevent many people from associating it with a long history in the Middle East. There is a discredited legend that some cookbooks even repeat, which is that hummus was prepared first in the 12th century by Saladin, the first sultan of both Egypt and Syria. Hummus dip is a mixed bag as far as nutrition goes.

High in Minerals and Vitamins

Hummus dip is high in both minerals and vitamins. It is a decent source of iron, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and folic acid, or folate. Iron is an essential mineral that your body needs. Vitamin C works as an antioxidant in your body, where it protects against the effects of oxidative stress. Vitamin B6 is very important to several metabolic functions throughout your body, such as the metabolism of lipids and amino acids, the synthesis of histamine and the synthesis of hemoglobin. Folic acid, on the other hand, is a vitamin that both kids and adults need for the purpose of preventing anemia and also for the creation of red blood cells that are healthy.

Good Amount of Carbohydrates

Hummus dip also comes with a sizable amount of carbohydrates. In an average serving of 3.5 ounces of hummus dip, you will take in more than 14 carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are essential if you're an athlete or even if you just enjoy doing a lot of exercise, since carbs are the best source of energy for your body. However, if you're trying to lose weight or even just trying to watch the size of your waistline, eating carbs is not a good idea because they make you gain weight in a hurry. If you are actively dieting, you will want to avoid the carbohydrates in foods like hummus dip, especially if you're on a plan like the Atkins diet.

High in Protein

If you're trying to get more protein in your diet, eating some hummus dip is a decent source for this ambition. In a helping of just 3.5 ounces of hummus dip, you'll be eating about 8 grams of protein. Your muscles need protein for a couple of reasons. First, eating protein helps you to avoid muscular wasting, which is when cellular processes start using the protein in your muscles to make up for an overall shortage. Second, protein is an essential element of building strong muscles, which is why bodybuilders often take protein in supplements.

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