Chana dal is baby chickpeas that has been split and polished. Apart from being used in soups, salads, curries, dal preparations, savouries, sweets and rice dishes, the legumes are also roasted and powdered into chickpea flour (besan), another ingredient that is widely used in almost every province of India, also known as split bengal gram. Bengal gram is one of the earliest cultivated legumes. It is majorly cultivated in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Mexico. India is the largest producer of chana contributing around 70% to the total global production. Since bengal gram is a protein-rich supplement, it is considered a popular alternative for animal or meat protein. Regular consumption of bengal gram helps in reducing protein malnutrition. It also helps in lowering the cholesterol level in the bloodstream. Chana dal is good for diabetic patients as it has a low glycemic index.