Natco Chana Dal is a brand that sells chana dal in the market of the United Kingdom, even available online. But what is chana dal exactly? Chana dal is a split lentil which is also known as baby chickpeas. It is very popular in Indian cuisine and it is highly nutritious and delicious as well. It is used in both sweet and savoury chana dal recipes, among others, because of its rich taste and aroma. Many are confused on how to cook chana dal and whether chana dal is the same as chickpeas and news flash: chana dal is baby chickpeas that has been polished! It resembles the look of small kernels of sweet corn, and it tastes just the same, too. It is a legume that is roasted and powdered into chickpea flour which is another ingredient widely used somewhere in the provinces of India. Chana Dal Benefits A cup of cooked chana dal is 170 grams. Its contents include 331 calories, 18.5 grams of protein, and 53.4 grams of carbohydrates. Aside from this, here are the benefits of chana dal that can be found in every chana dal recipe: Provides energy. As a single serving of chana del provides around a hundred calories loaded with numbers of vitamins and minerals, it is a provider of energy. Aside from this, it is rich in B-complex vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, and B9 which all plays an important role in glucose metabolism. It extracts energy from the food that one consumes and converts it into ATP or adenosine triphosphate which is a biochemical form in the body that stores and uses energy. Source of vegetarian protein. Protein is a macronutrient which the body relatively needs in higher amount, like good fats and carbohydrates. A cup of cooked chana dal provides 33% of protein for the day. It is a critical component for a variety of tasks as it is beneficial right from the formation of new cells, strong bones, haemoglobin, to managing the wear and tear of body cells. Keeps the heart-healthy. As chana del is rich in antioxidants, it helps in reducing the damage done by free radicals to the blood vessels and lowers inflammation. Being also a very good source of folic acid, chana dal helps in lowering the levels of homocysteine and reduces the risk of blood clots and hardening of the arteries. The magnesium in chana dal, on the other hand, proves to be effective in relaxing the blood vessels which in turn regulates the action of the heart. Diabetic friendly. Since the glycaemic index of a raw Bengal chana dal is extremely low at around 8, it is a superfood that can be consumed by people with diabetes. This is best understood by the glycaemic load which Is only 1.4 that depends on the carbohydrate content in the serving of raw chana dal. The higher fibre content of the dal slows the release of glucose into the bloodstream and manages the blood sugar.