Health benefits Hummus is high in several important nutrients, including fiber and protein. A 2016 study explains that people who eat chickpeas or hummus eat more fiber, unsaturated fat, antioxidant vitamins, magnesium, potassium, and iron. This may be due, in part, to the presence of these ingredients in hummus.

Hummus is a smooth and creamy puree of cooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans), tahini and an acid, typically lemon juice. While hummus usually has garlic now, centuries ago it did not. Olive oil isn't a requirement either, but most modern recipes list it as an ingredient.

“It generally offers more vitamins and minerals than many other dips or spreads,” she says, since it includes calcium, folate and magnesium.