Chana Dal Recipes are Edible.... 




Chana dal or Bengal gram is a staple in India. It is also known as baby chickpeas or split chickpeas. It has a delicious nutty flavour, and when ground, it is known as besan or gram flour. The flour and the dal are used in a variety of lip-smacking dishes.

Its name is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘चणक’ or ‘chanaka’ which indicates that it has been in cultivation in India for a really long time. Its origins are believed to be in the eastern Mediterranean region, and it belongs to the family called Leguminosae.




Nutrition Facts

Most of the chana dal benefits come from its nutritional content. Have a look at chana dal nutritional benefits.

Serving size: 100g

Nutritional ValuesAmount
Calories252
Total Fat4.5g
Trans Fat0g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.8g
Monosaturated Fat0.9g
Cholesterol0mg
Sodium387mg
Potassium199mg
Total Carbohydrates42g
Dietary Fibre11g
Sugars7.3g
Protein13g
Iron9.9% of the recommended daily value
Calcium6% of the recommended daily value



Interesting Chana Dal Benefits for Health

On to the part which you were waiting for. Let’s learn about the chana dal health benefits, supported by research.

1. Great for the Heart

Chana dal is also known as baby chickpea. A diet rich in chickpeas can help in reducing bad cholesterol in our blood according to a study published in the journal, ‘Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism‘. Keeping our cholesterol levels in check is important for a healthy heart.

2. Strong Muscles

The ‘Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health‘ emphasizes on the role of protein serving as a building block for our muscles. If you want stronger muscles, eat chana dal as it has 13g of protein in every 100g serving. It is a great source of vegetarian protein. The chana dal benefits are amazing for muscular health.

3. Better Body Immunity

Again, due to the presence of high protein in chana dal, it supports our immune system, gearing it up to fight any infections. The correlation between protein and immunity was also mentioned by the ‘Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health‘.

4. Disease Prevention

This is one of the most important chana dal benefits. The folic acid in chana dal is rich in folates. Folate is essential in the prevention of diseases like stroke, depression, dementia, among others. This is supported by the ‘National Institutes of Health‘.

5. Healthy Bones and Teeth

Calcium — we have known how important calcium is for healthy bones and teeth. If you don’t like drinking milk or run at the mention of any dairy product because of your lactose intolerance, eat chana dal. Research published in the ‘Clinical Interventions in Aging‘ journal found that adequate calcium intake can help in preventing osteoporosis and improve bone density.

6. Lowers Blood Sugar

About 11% of chana dal is made up of fibre. The journal ‘Nutrients‘ published a study that found that increasing fibre intake can help in lowering blood sugar. Organic chana dal is especially good for type 2 diabetics. It has a low glycemic index too.

7. Aids in Weight Loss

Rich in fibre, organic chana dal in excellent for weight loss. The journal ‘Obesity‘ published findings that legumes chana dal also increase the feelings of satiety. When you get satiated faster, you consume fewer calories.

8. Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

One of the greatest chana dal benefits is that it has no trans fats. Full of healthy fats, you can munch on chana dal without a worry. According to ‘Harvard Medical School‘, healthy fats are essential for treating inflammation.

Make the Most of Chana Dal Benefits

When you buy chana dal, choose the organic variation. Organic chana dal is grown without the use of pesticides. To get the most of chana dal benefits, start using it in easy recipes like chana dal pancakes, fritters, idlis, chana dal fry and many more. Chana dal is versatile, and you can use it to prepare recipes for breakfast, lunch dinner or even snacks.

The plant in which chana dal grows has medicinal properties for the intestine as its leaves are rich in oxalic and malic acid. The crop is a farmer’s favourite as it restores soil fertility. India is the largest producer of Bengal gram.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article! Get healthier with chana dal today!