Are Chickpeas a Complete Protein? | Chickpea Amino Acid Profile
According to the World Health Organisation a complete protein refers to a protein source that “contains adequate proportions of the nine essential amino acids” that the human body is incapable of producing on its own.
Chickpeas are one of the most recommended sources of plant-based vegan-friendly protein, but the amino acid profile of chickpeas depends on where it is grown and their specific strain.
Sure, chickpeas are a great source of protein for the vegan community, but are chickpeas a complete protein by definition? Is protein from chickpeas competent enough to lend you all the known benefits of plant protein?
To answer that and some more, we will venture into the world of chickpeas: the health benefits of chickpeas and their amino acid profile. But first, let’s begin with the basics!
Understanding Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids
During digestion, our body breaks down high amounts of protein into amino acids to promote good health and proper bodily functions. Amino acids are primarily of 2 kinds: essential and non-essential. Out of 20 amino acids, 9 are essential, and out of those only 3 are branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).
Here’s a list of essential and non-essential amino acids:
Our body cannot produce essential amino acids by itself so it’s important that we consume them from external food sources. Of the 9 essential amino acids, 3 have a peculiar branched-chain structure popularly known as branch chained amino acids or BCAAs.
These contribute to muscle repair by increasing the rate of protein synthesis which is why Vegan and meat-eating athletes tend to consume it as a supplement.
Although most BCAA supplements on the market are still animal-based, recent developments have allowed for the synthesis of vegan BCAA supplements as well. Certified vegan BCAA supplements are derived from either soy or corn instead of keratin found in animal hair, hooves, feathers and even human hair.
As for non-essential amino acids, they are produced by our body through the 9 essential amino acids, or during the process of protein breakdown.
What Is A “Complete Source Of Protein”?
To answer “is chickpea a complete protein”, we need to understand what a complete protein is. According to the WHO, a “complete source of protein” will include all the 9 essential amino acids required by the human body for good health. So, make sure you get your proteins from all 9 amino acids.
While omnivores get their protein from animal-based sources such as milk, fish, eggs, cheese, and poultry, vegans have to look toward to plant-based sources of protein such as chickpeas.
Quinoa, buckwheat, rice tofu, soy, hummus and pita, and tempeh are some of the complete vegan sources of protein that are recommended. Any edible item that does not include all 9 essential amino acids will be considered incomplete protein sources.
Are Chickpeas a Complete Source of Protein?
So, is chickpea a complete protein? Technically, not quite. It is surely a source of protein, and it contains no less than 8 out of 9 of the essential amino acids, but what it falls short on is methionine + cysteine. Chickpeas are still excellent food alternatives for someone who has recently adopted vegan lifestyle , but they are not the definition of “complete sources of protein”.
The table below lists the recommended percentage of the 9 essential acids in a diet, and the amount offered by chickpeas. Note that chickpeas are rich in all the other essential amino acids barring the one, so they remain a healthy dietary option.
| Essential Amino Acids | Recommended Complete Protein (%) | Chickpea Protein |
| Histidine | 1.8 | 2.5 |
| Isoleucine | 2.5 | 4.8 |
| Leucine | 5.5 | 8.5 |
| Lysine | 5.1 | 7.5 |
| Methionine + Cysteine | 2.5 | 1.9 |
| Phenylalanine + Tyrosine | 4.7 | 5.5 |
| Threonine | 2.7 | 3.7 |
| Tryptophan | 0.7 | 1 |
| Valine | 3.2 | 5 |
As per the nutritional threshold, a complete source of protein must offer a minimum of 25 mg/g of methionine + cysteine, whereas the chickpea amino acid profile promises only 11mg/g of it. For omnivores, cheese, chicken, and eggs are some of the good alternatives to make up for the lost essential amino acid, but if you are vegan, there are alternatives for you as well.
What is Methionine And Why is It Important?
While the health benefits of chickpea are many, there’s no ignoring the fact that it does lack methionine. Methionine is one of the 9 essential amino acids that serve as building blocks for our bodies in the protein-making process.
It is found in abundance in fish, meat, and dairy products, along with some vegan-friendly options as well do read about vegan methionine sources.
This missing essential amino acid is used to avert the risks of allergies, asthma, depression, liver damage, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia, to name a few. According to ongoing research, methionine aids reduction of radiation side effects, colon cancer, alcoholism, and similar serious ailments.
What Foods to Pair with Chickpea to Make it a Complete Protein?
If you are wondering how to make chickpeas a complete protein, simply throw in some other edible item that is rich in methionine to compensate for its lack. The table below lists some of the best foods to pair with chickpea to make it a complete protein for vegans:
| Food | % of Daily Value (Methionine) | Amount (Methionine) |
| Chia Seeds (0.6 cup chickpeas + 0.3 oz chia seeds) | 18.3 | 0.16g |
| Sesame Seeds (0.6 cup chickpeas + 0.9 tbsp sesame seeds) | 17.6 | 0.15g |
| Wild Rice (0.6 cup chickpeas + 0.3 cup wild rice) | 18.2 | 0.16g |
| Hemp Seeds (0.6 cup chickpeas + 0.6 tbsp hemp seeds) | 18.3 | 0.16g |
| Nori (0.5 cup chickpeas + 15.7 sheet nori) | 18 | 0.15g |
| White Rice (0.5 cup chickpeas + 0.6 cup white rice) | 17.9 | 0.15g |
| Cornmeal (0.5 cup chickpeas + 3.9 tbsp cornmeal) | 18.9 | 0.16g |
| Pumpkin Seeds (0.4 cup chickpeas + 3.8 tbsp pumpkin seeds) | 17.1 | 0.15g |
| Quinoa (0.5 cup chickpeas + 0.4 cup quinoa) | 19.4 | 0.17g |
| Carrots (3.3 tbsp chickpeas + 2.4 large carrots) | 8.6 | 0.07 |
These are 10 of the best foods to pair with chickpeas to make it a complete protein. They are all vegan-friendly and gluten-free options and add to your daily nutritional value.
Also read,
Health Benefits of Chickpeas
Even though chickpeas do not contain enough methionine to be qualified as a complete source of protein by definition, that does not negate the fact that it is still one of the healthiest, most nutritious food items for the vegan community. Let’s take a thorough look at the health benefits of chickpeas:
1. Rich in Plant Protein
Rich in plant-based protein, chickpeas remain a great alternative for vegans. They promote muscle strength, weight loss, and general bone health. If you are on a weight loss journey, chickpeas are a recommended addition. The protein content of chickpeas surpasses that of other similar legumes, making it one of the most protein-rich plant-based food alternatives.
2. Manage your Blood Sugar Levels
Both dried and canned chickpeas have a low glycemic index, which ensures that your body absorbs and digests them slowly. Chickpeas also include a type of starch called “amylose”, which takes time to digest. The presence of both these helps maintain your blood sugar and prevents your insulin levels from shooting up. So, for those suffering from or are afraid of diabetes, chickpeas are a good option.
3. Promotes Brain Health
A good source of choline, chickpeas are known to promote good brain and mental health, in general. Magnesium present in chickpeas is a key ingredient for proper nerve functionality. The presence of selenium, magnesium, and zinc provides relief from chances of anxiety and depression.
4. Protects against Chronic Diseases
Chickpeas help reduce LDL cholesterol which is detrimental to our body. It keeps a check on heart health and helps avert cardiovascular diseases. The presence of potassium and magnesium prevents high blood pressure. Vitamin B along with magnesium present in chickpeas has been recommended for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Moreover, chickpeas promote the production of butyrate in our body which in turn helps avert risks of colon cancer. The presence of several essential vitamins and minerals helps avoid various kinds of cancer, including but not limited to breast and lung cancer.
5. Prevent Iron Deficiency
A cup amounting to 164 grams of chickpeas contains no less than 26% iron of the daily value, making it one of the iron-rich food alternative for those suffering from iron deficiency or simply looking to avoid it.
The abundance of iron promotes growth, muscle metabolism, brain development, and helps prevent fatigue, shortness of breath, and generalized weakness. Lastly, the presence of vitamin C promotes iron absorption in our bodies.
Check Amino Acid Profiles of other Popular Vegan Foods below:
Verdict | Is Chickpea a Complete Protein?
The short but honest answer is no. Chickpeas lack methionine, one of the 9 essential amino acids required to be present in food to be qualified as a “complete source of protein”.
However, the fact that chickpeas contain every other essential amino acid is terrific, and it makes chickpeas an excellent dietary choice for vegans. Moreover, the health benefits of chickpeas are ample, so pair it with some methionine-rich food item, as listed above, and you should be good to go!
As a Registered, Licensed Dietitian, it is important to me to also help my clients develop a life long relationship with exercise as well as nutrition. I help my clients & readers create healthy eating and exercise goals so they can achieve their wellness potential.
