Street food is one of the most exciting thing whenever we go, even when we’re abroad. Street food is also one of the life-savior, when you’re starving and you didn’t bring much cash to dine in. It’s a nice company especially when we’re hanging around. And when you have the chance to visit Middle East, there is one street food that you couldn’t miss called falafel.
Falafel is basically a deep-fried ball, doughnut or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. And behind this yummy street food, there are some health benefits that you got if you consuming it. Here are 20 hidden health benefits of falafel, let’s check them out below!
What is Falafel?
Falafel is a deep-fried ball, doughnut or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. It could be served just that, or combined into a sandwich. Falafel, it is commonly served in a pita, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flatbread known as taboon. The falafel balls are served with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces. Falafel balls may also be eaten alone as a snack or served as part of a meze (assortment of appetizers).
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What are the health benefits of Falafel?
Falafel is widely known in Middle East, and people there believe that there are health benefits that you’ll get when you consume this dish. Here are those health benefits.
1. Quick filler
As you consume this dish, you’ll get extra 1,393 kJ or same as 333 kcal. It’s a good thing for those who loves to walk around and need something to munch all along the way. You still can enjoy your day while not hearing your tummy growling for food!
2. Protein source
This small squishy dish contains 13.31 grams of protein, which is a good thing for those who are sensitive to protein. You still can eat protein in a save way, and of course in a yummy way as well. Mixed it with your favorite vegetables and it will be a good dish to enjoy!
3. Good eyesight
As this dish contains Vitamin A, it’s a good source for your eyesight. Vitamin A provides a rich source of eye vitamins for macular degeneration and cataracts. This vitamin will help your eyesight when you’re in a low light surroundings.
4. Source of Vitamin B
Vitamin B is known as booster so we’ll stay energized, and this snack has it. With various type of Vitamin B inside, it will help us to stay boosted all day long. No need to drink some instant energy booster when you have this in your hand!Â
5. Strong bones
As it’s contained calcium, falafel is great for building and maintaining strong bones. It’s a good news for the vegans too. Now you have your own calcium source in vegan way! Calcium is also good for protecting us from cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
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6. Healthy blood circulation
Falafel is surprisingly contained iron, that will help our body to have a good blood circulation. And of course it will help us to stay away from any blood-related diseases. It’s a tasty and healthy snack for everyone!
7. Stress relieve
Need to pull out from a rough day? Falafel will be a good company to ease the stress away, since it contained magnesium. Researchers found that magnesium is able to ease some tense muscles and nerves. Cheer your day with this chewy snack!Â
8. Good lungs
Manganese is known able to supports your lungs and respiratory health. And you can find it in falafel. It’s one of good snack for your kids as well. So enjoy your snack and also say goodbye to any respiratory problems!
9. Fun body detox
Falafel contains lots of good things for our body, and other good thing inside it is phosphorus. It’s great to help our body rinse out the bad elements out through excretion and secretion. Â
10. Healthy nerves system
By consuming falafel, you’ll gain enough amount of potassium that your body need. Potassium is good to improve your nervous system due to the potassium contained inside. This will help your muscles to perform better without getting tired easily.
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11. Balances body fluid
Our body need a good amount of sodium to balance the body fluid inside. And by consuming falafel, you’ll get the right amount of sodium your body need. Especially in such a hot and humid place like Middle East, this snack is just the right one.
12. Increases immunity
As falafel contains zinc, it’s a good to increase our immunity. This snack is really bringing good things to our body. And moreover, you can enjoy it together with your beloved one!
13. Fiber source
Fiber is one of the good thing we need inside our body. It helps our body to digest food better. And by eating this snack, you’ll get the good amount of fiber needed by your body!
14. Healthy fat source
When you enjoy this snack with pita, it contains the healthy fat that your body need. No need to worry about the bad fat, it’s all about healthy fat. You can enjoy this healthy food whenever and wherever you are!
15. Sugar-free
For you who now are struggling with sugary problem, you don’t have to worry when eating this snack. Because falafel has proven has no sugar inside it. So you can enjoy your snack time now with ease!
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16. Avoid breast cancer
For girls, breast cancer is one of the deadly disease and now you don’t have to worry. Falafel with chickpeas can help to prevent the breast cancer cells and hot flashes post-menopause. Also, it protects your body against osteoporosis. As it contains the antioxidants called saponins that you can find in chickpeas!
17. Lowers cholesterol
Fiber is not only good for your tummy, it also good to reduce the amount of cholesterol inside your body. Consume this daily in a proper way and you’ll able to say goodbye to cholesterol!Â
18. Good diet
Since it contains mostly with fiber and no bad fat, this is a perfect diet for those who need to lose some weight. Put it into your sandwich, and it will be a perfect lunch for you at school or work!
19. Healthy heart
As you’ll get healthy blood circulation by consuming falafel, it’ll give another benefit as you’ll get a clean and healthy heart as well. You don’t have to worry when eating this dish, since you’ll guaranteed to get a healthy heart!
20. Vegetarian’s perfect diet
As those who don’t eat any meat, you still able to get some protein with falafel. As mentioned above that this food contains good amount of protein, it just a perfect diet for the vegans!
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Even though falafel brings good things to our body, you need to take note that the fact it’s a deep-fried one it will contains something bad too. Like the amount of oil contained inside, it will affect your health as well if you eat it too much. You can change it into a baked one, or just eat it normally and not too much.
So that’s all about 20 hidden health benefits of falafel, hope this information is useful for you!