Benefits of Mung Bean Sprouts

Mung Bean Sprouts

Most people have experienced mung bean sprouts in chop suey and other Asian cuisine, yet they probably pay it little thought. There is more to mung bean sprouts than a satisfying crunch. In fact, these sprouts, grown from mung beans deliver a slightly nutty flavor are packed with vitamins and health benefits.

The health benefits of mung bean sprouts include heart health and bone health. Next time you are preparing a stir-fry or making a sandwich, consider adding these little leafy greens for an extra healthy punch.

Nutritional Value

Mung bean sprouts are a low-calorie food that delivers vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Adding mung bean sprouts is a great addition to a healthy and balanced diet.

1) Fiber

There are a plethora of reasons as to why you should get enough fiber in your diet. The most immediate reason being that is stabilizes your digestive system by adding bulk to your stools and preventing diarrhea, while on the other side of the coin it gets things moving and prevents constipation from occurring.

In the more long-term, fiber is great for your heart health. It decreases cholesterol, which in turn lowers the blood pressure. This improves your overall heart health, preventing the development of heart disease heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks.

Fiber is great for diabetics and even preventing type II diabetes because it helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. And finally, those who are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight will find fiber is a great way to fill yourself up and feel satisfied longer.

2) Vitamin C

We all know we need vitamin C to boost our immune system and to help fight infections and illness, but there’s so much more to the story. Vitamin C has several jobs. For instance, on top of protecting our bodies from immediate illness, it also helps prevent the development of cancer due to its powerful antioxidant abilities.

Antioxidants scavenge free radicals roaming our body, causing cellular damage. When antioxidants track down these free radicals, they neutralize them and help reverse the damage done. This helps to prevent the development of cancer as well as help to reverse signs of premature aging.

3) Vitamin K

Vitamin K is essential to the blood clotting process. Vitamin K is also necessary in delivering vitamin C throughout the body. This helps to ensure healthy bones, decreasing the risk of fractures and the development of osteoporosis. Vitamin K is also great for the heart, helping to decrease the build up of plaque in the arteries, helping to maintain clear and healthy arteries.

4) Iron

Iron is vital to two major lifelines in our body – oxygen and blood. Iron is instrumental in the production of red blood cells. Your body needs enough iron to prevent the development of anemia. The majority of iron is found in hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen to all organs of the body, keeping them healthy and running at full capacity.

Your body also needs oxygen to maintain healthy muscle development and movement as well as healthy cognitive functioning.

5) Folate

Folate is important to healthy development and growth, especially in adolescents or woman who are pregnant. Folate is a type of B-vitamin that is instrumental in the development of DNA and maintaining healthy cells. Just like iron, folate is also necessary in the development of healthy red blood cells.

6) Copper

Copper plays a huge role in maintaining overall health. For instance, the anti-inflammatory effects of copper help to relieve pain associated with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Copper is also essential to the healthy development and growth of tissues and organs. Copper is also an important part of melanin, which is responsible for the pigmentation of the eyes and hair.

Health Benefits of Mung Beans

Due to its content of vitamins, miners, and fiber, mung beans offer a variety of health benefits.

1) Cardiovascular Health

A powerful antioxidant, the vitamin C content of mung bean sprouts help to ensure a healthy heart. Foods rich in antioxidants help prevent the heart from developing atherosclerosis and decreasing the probability of stroke and heart attack. The rich fiber content helps to keep blood pressure stabilized, adding even more protecting from heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks.

2) Bone Health

High in vitamin K, mung bean sprouts are a great way to help maintain your bone health. People that get enough vitamin K are less likely to suffer from bone fractures and developing osteoporosis. The vitamin C content found in mung bean sprouts also helps to maintain strong and healthy bones.

3) Eye Health

Rich in vitamin C, regularly consuming mung beans may help prevent macular degeneration. The B-vitamins found in mung bean sprouts also help to prevent the development of cataracts. More studies need to be conducted to determine the connection between mung bean sprouts and the rate of macular degeneration.

Some Considerations

Before serving and consuming mung bean sprouts, be sure to wash them thoroughly as they may carry bacteria that can be harmful, especially to the very young, elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
It is also suggested that mung bean sprouts be cooked before serving, as consuming them raw may result in food poisoning.
Women who are pregnant are also advised not to consume raw mung bean sprouts.
While cooking the mung bean sprouts will kill off some of the nutrients, it’s safer than risking food poisoning.