Mung beans are a nutritionally balanced food that belongs to the legume family. Other names for mung beans include green gram, maash, moong, monggo, or munggo. They are mainly cultivated in Asia, Africa, and South America, but mung beans are enjoyed by people all around the world.
Like other types of legumes, mung beans are a rich source of plant-based protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and other nutrients. They also are low in fat, making them a suitable choice for people who follow a low-fat eating plan.
Though mung beans have a mild flavor, they make for an excellent canvas for a variety of flavorful recipes, including soups, stews, salads, and curries. Some vegans even use mung beans to make egg-free scrambles and omelets.
Mung Beans Nutrition Facts
One cup (202g) of boiled mung beans provides 212 calories, 0.77 grams of fat, 38.8 grams of carbohydrates, and 14.2 grams of protein. Mung beans are an excellent source of fiber, potassium, copper, and B vitamins.
A 1-cup serving of mung beans that have been boiled without added salt provides 212 calories, most of which come from carbohydrates. The carbs in mung beans are mainly complex carbohydrates, which provide the body with sustained energy.
Fiber and starch are two types of complex carbs, both of which are found in mung beans. A cup of cooked mung beans provides 15.4 grams of fiber, which helps aid digestion and is associated with many health benefits. Like other types of legumes, mung beans also contain starch, which gives a boost of energy when consumed. Along with fiber and starch, mung beans contain 4.04 grams of sugar per cup.
Fats
Mung beans are almost a fat-free food. A cup of mung beans contains 0.77 grams of fat. They are not a significant source of healthy fats, though they can be cooked or served with other dietary sources of fat like oils, nuts, and seeds.
Protein
Mung is enriched in protein and the best intake for vegetarians and those who avoid meat. One cup provides 14.2 grams of protein, which includes some essential amino acids.
Vitamins and Minerals
Mung beans are packed with vitamins and minerals. You will get approximately 80% of your daily recommended intake of folate if you consume a cup of mung beans. Mung beans are also rich in potassium, copper, thiamin (vitamin B1), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and manganese. They provide smaller amounts of selenium, calcium, choline, and vitamin K.
Health Benefits
Mung beans are known for having the following potential health benefits.
May Demonstrate Antioxidant Effects
Researchers have found several antioxidants in mung beans, including linoleic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and more. These antioxidants help neutralize free radical activity, which can reduce the risk of disease. Free radical damage has been linked to heart disease, cancer, chronic inflammation, and other diseases.
May Help Lower Blood Glucose Levels
High blood sugar is a main characteristic of diabetes and has been linked to other chronic diseases. Consuming mung beans may help keep blood glucose levels low. Some animal studies have shown that mung beans portray anti-diabetic activities.
May Have Anticancer Properties
Mung beans specifically mung bean sprouts have been shown to possess potent anti-cancer properties. In a 2012 study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers found that mung bean sprouts act as an anticancer agent for human cells.
May Help Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a serious issue because it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, but only about 1 in 4 have their condition under control. Some lifestyle changes, including adopting a balanced diet, can help lower blood pressure. Some of the nutrients in mung beans, including potassium, magnesium, and fiber, have been linked to a lower risk of high blood pressure.
May Aid Digestive Health
A variety of nutrients present in mung beans are beneficial for gut health, including fiber. The 15.4 grams of fiber in a cup of cooked mung beans contribute significantly to the daily recommended intake of 28 to 34 grams and 22 to 28 grams of fiber for men and women, respectively. The soluble fiber and resistant starch present in mung beans promote healthy digestion. Mung bean protein is also easier to digest than the protein in other legumes. Thank you researcher for all the above useful information