International Hummus Day is celebrated on May 13 to honor the popular middle eastern dip that is known as a superfood.

Hummus is popular across several countries including Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Turkey and Cyprus. The dip that has been around for centuries in many cultures is considered one of the most versatile and healthy staples across countries.

International Hummus Day was first commemorated by Ben Lang in 2012 to create a holiday around food that could bring people together from around the world. Since then, the day has been celebrated across the U.S., Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and South Africa.

The basic recipe of Hummus calls for combining mashed chickpeas with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. However, each country has its unique style of making Hummus. For instance, the Turks use butter instead of olive oil in their hummus recipe.

You can also be part of International Hummus Day by trying out the dish from your nearby outlet or whipping it up at home. There are several easy-to-do recipes available online that will help you to make the yummy dip in less than 10 minutes.

hummus-gd62a21126_640
representational image pixabay

Here are some health benefits of hummus that would tempt you to try it. (Courtesy: Healthline)

  1. Hummus is low in saturated fat and high in fiber and protein.
  2. It keeps you satiated for a long time because of the complex carbohydrates in them.
  3. Hummus is rich in omega-3 fats, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.
  4. Including hummus in your diet reduces cholesterol, blood pressure, risk of heart diseases, and certain types of cancer.
  5. Hummus helps to regulate blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy weight as it has a low glycemic index.
  6. The dip is packed with healthy ingredients that will help you fight inflammation. Olive oil and sesame seeds that make tahini are found to reduce inflammation.
  7. The high fiber content of hummus qualifies it to be a great food to promote digestive health.
  8. Since hummus is naturally gluten, nut and dairy-free, it is suitable for people with allergies, lactose intolerance and celiac disease.
RELATED STORIES