From Street Food to Superfood: The Healthy Side of Golgappas
Health Benefits of Eating Gupchup (Panipuri): Helps To Reduce Weight: Everyone, whether children or adults, loves to eat golgappas. It’s one of the most popular street foods. Many people, concerned about their health, shy away from eating panipuri. If we told you about the benefits of golgappas, you might not believe it. But it’s true. In fact, panipuri helps reduce excess fat. Let’s find out how.
Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Golgappas (Panipuri)
While often considered a junk food, golgappas (or pani puri) can actually offer several health benefits—especially when made at home with the right ingredients. From aiding digestion to supporting weight loss and even helping manage diabetes, this beloved street snack can be much healthier than it seems. Here’s how:
1. Supports Weight Loss and Curbing Cravings
Despite its reputation, pani puri can be a light and filling snack when consumed in moderation. The spicy, tangy water promotes fullness, curbing hunger and reducing the urge to overeat. If you’re craving something flavorful during your weight loss journey, homemade pani puri with boiled potatoes and chickpeas can satisfy your palate without derailing your goals.
2. Boosts Digestion Naturally
The ingredients in pani puri water—such as mint, tamarind, cumin, black salt, ajwain, and hing (asafoetida)—are known for their digestive properties. They help stimulate the digestive system, relieve bloating, and reduce acidity. Cumin and mint promote a healthy gut, while hing can ease gas and stomach pain.
3. Helps Relieve Acidity
Surprisingly, the spicy and tangy water in pani puri has cooling effects that can help relieve acidity. It cleanses the digestive tract and balances stomach acids, making it a natural and tasty remedy for those dealing with frequent acidity.
4. Can Be Beneficial for Diabetes
While diabetes patients must be cautious with their diet, the spices in pani puri water—like black pepper, cumin, and mint—can help maintain blood sugar levels. These ingredients don’t cause sudden glucose spikes and can be a flavorful addition to a diabetes-friendly diet—as long as sweet chutneys are avoided.
5. May Help Lower Cholesterol
Pani puri fillings often include black chickpeas (kala chana), which are rich in protein and known to support heart health. Combined with puris made from wheat flour or semolina, this snack may help in managing cholesterol levels when consumed sensibly and without frying in reused oil.
6. Homemade Is Healthier and Safer
Homemade golgappas are always a better choice. You can control the oil, ingredients, and spices, making it a safer and healthier version. Avoid sweet chutneys and use jaljeera or mint-coriander water for a low-calorie, refreshing twist. Also, using whole wheat flour instead of semolina increases the fiber content and makes it more digestible.
