GRAM FLOUR BENEFITS AND USES

Gram flour or besan flour made from chickpeas or garbanzo beans and is very well-known world wide as it is often used as a gluten-free alternative.

Benefits of gram flour for health:

1. Rich in antioxidants:

Chickpeas contain antioxidants called polyphenols that can help fight against diseases in the body that are caused by free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can affect healthy molecules and cells in the body making one more prone to getting affected by diseases.

2. weight loss:

Like mentioned earlier, chickpea flour can be often replaced with regular flour as it is a gluten-free alternative and also contains around 25% lesser calories when consumed. This can also help people aiming for weight loss without having to change your portion size. It is also beneficial as legumes decrease hunger and can increase fullness which can aid in weight loss.

3. Contains a fibre called ‘resistant starch’:

Chickpeas are rich in fibre especially a fibre called ‘resistant starch’ that is very beneficial to the body and is linked with several health benefits like improved insulin sensitivity, decreased risk of colon cancer, lowering of blood sugar levels, beneficial to digestion and can reduce appetite in turn decreasing the number of calories one intakes.

4. Rich in protein:

Chickpea flour is rich in protein when compared to other flours and protein is highly essential for the body, as protein is rich in building muscle mass and bones. The body uses protein to repair itself and plays an important role in the creation and maintenance of every cell in the body. It provides energy to the body. Any sort of injury or wear and tear repair and healing will depend on the amount of protein your body has.

Benefits of gram flour for beauty:

1. Beneficial for skin:

Gram flour can be your go-to skin care ingredient as it has many beneficial properties for the skin from skin lightening and tan reduction to reduction of oiliness, fights acne, exfoliates the skin and removes dead skin to reduction of additional hair.

2. Beneficial for the hair:

Using gram flour masks for the hair can help nourish brittle hair and fight dandruff. It can help strengthen the hair follicles and in turn improve hair growth. It has exfoliating properties that can help cleanse the hair and scalp and make the hair look healthier.

Uses of gram flour:

Apart from using it in culinary preparations, chickpea flour can be used for beauty as well. Check out some of the uses –

1. To make homemade ubtan face mask:

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp gram flour/besan
• 1 tbsp licorice or orange peel powder
• 3 tsp wild turmeric/haldi powder

Method:

Mix all the dry ingredients together and then add the wet ingredients (add in the wet ingredients little by little as you want the ubtan to become a thick and not a watery paste).

This is going to be a moderate quantity of ubtan mix, which can be stored in a container for future use. You can also make smaller quantities by reducing the quantities for a one time use.

To make the ubtan paste for face application, add around 1 tsp of milk cream to the ubtan mix and you can also add little curd or rose water which is optional.

Spread it out evenly on your face using a brush. Leave it on your face to dry up, for around 15 to 20 minutes. Before washing off, lightly wet your face with a very little water and gently massage your face with rolling motions (as the masoor dal acts as an exfoliator). After this you can wash your face and pat dry with a towel.

Please Note: These ubtan recipes can also be used for any part of your body.

2. To make a hair mask:

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp besan flour
• 2.5 tsp curd/yoghurt
• ½ tsp honey

Method:

Into a mixing bowl combine all the ingredients and mix well until it becomes a fine paste.

For application: Partition your hair and wet it using a water spray bottle. Then evenly apply this mask all over your hair and scalp using your fingertips or an applicator brush. Once the application process is over, tie up your into a loose bun or into a shower cap and leave this mask on for 30 to 40 minutes before rinsing off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.