Mung beans nutritional value

Mung Beans

Mung bean, mung, mongo, green bean or green soy is the seed of the plant Vigna radiata. Sometimes, scientists refer to this plant as Phaseoulus radiatus or Phaseolus aureus. This plant is native to India, Bangladesh and Pakistan and used all over South-East Asia. These are small, round seeds, usually green or yellow in color, depending on the presence of husk.

Mung beans can be used in many ways: raw, cooked or as the sprouts. Mung don't need to be soaked before use, as many other beans, because they tend to cook very quickly. Just wash them and cook, and they’ll be done in no time. These are very nutritious and easily digested beans, which makes them highly appreciated beans.

Green beans hold a special place in Ayrvedic medicine. Moong, as they call it, is beneficial to balance every energy and health problem in the body. Ayurvedic practitioners use special spice mixtures when cooking mung beans, making this dish suitable for every body type.

Mung is easily digested and widely used in people suffering from indigestion, bloating or having some other stomach problems. Chinese medicine also uses mung. It is believed that it has anti-cancerous properties and because of that mung is used in everyday cooking.

Nutritional Value of Mung Beans

1 cup contains about 200g of mung beans. Scientists have proven that these beans are rich in vitamins, and that just one cup of these beans provides: 2g of vitamin C, 0.30mg of vitamin E, 5.5mcg of vitamin K, 0.135mg of vitamin B6, 1.166mg of niacin, 0.331mg of thiamin, 0.123mg of riboflavin, 321mcg of folate, and 0.828mg of pantothenic acid.

Vitamins present in mung beans are exceptionally beneficial for creation of red blood cells. These vitamins decrease the risk of heart problems, protect nervous system, and regulate protein metabolism and normal cell growth.

Mung beans are also rich in minerals. They contain: calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, iron and copper. These minerals help blood vessels relax, boost immune system, improve fertility and keep the heart healthy.

Green beans are low in fat and thus really beneficial for the people on restrictive diets and those who want to lose some weight. Those who are on low carbohydrate diet may also use these beans, since they contain just about 19g of carbohydrates per 200g of beans.

Mung is rich in proteins and fibers. Because of that, it is suitable for vegetarians, diabetics and people that suffer from high cholesterol.