Health Nutrition & Diet Never Tried Mung Beans? This Little Legume Is Packed With Protein, Potassium, and More Key Nutrients Time to unlock the mighty health benefits of mung beans. By Kristin Granero Kristin Granero Kristin Granero is a lifestyle writer, content creator, and digital media expert residing in New York City. When she's not interviewing experts or test-driving the latest products, she can be found exploring new museum exhibits, volunteering for her local animal rescue, or scouring the five boroughs (and beyond!) in search of the best guacamole. 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Editorial Head of Lake Forest College's literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years. Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email If you're interested in expanding your bean scene, look no further than the mung bean, also referred to as the green gram, maash, or moong (among other names). A plant species in the legume family, and primarily cultivated in Asia and India, mung beans are typically prepared by boiling until soft, and known for packing major health benefits into their small, soft skins. "Mung beans can be enjoyed in salads, soups, and stir frys," says Beth Warren, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian and founder of Beth Warren Nutrition. Scoop up a pack of organic mung beans and start incorporating them into your meals today for a healthy boost of potassium, protein, antioxidants, and more. From fiber to folate, read on as Warren helps break down some of the key healthy nutrients found in mung beans. Getty Images The Health Benefits of Pulses (Chickpeas, Lentils, Dry Peas, Beans) Mung Bean Nutritional Benefits 01 of 05 They're packed with potassium. One cup of mung beans provides roughly 2,590 milligrams of potassium. That's nearly 100 percent of the daily recommended amount, which can help with important bodily functions such as water regulation, nerve signals, and muscle contraction, as well as decrease the risk of high blood pressure and other health conditions. RELATED: 7 Foods Higher in Potassium Than Bananas 02 of 05 They're a good source of protein and fiber. "One cup of [cooked] mung beans also contains an estimated 14 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber," says Warren. Protein helps to produce antibodies, enzymes, blood, hormones, connective tissue, and more, while fiber supports a happy gut for a filling snack that promotes digestion. 03 of 05 They're rich in minerals like magnesium, iron, and phosphorus. If you could use a nutrient boost, mung beans have your back, boasting a range of minerals such as magnesium (helpful in maintaining healthy blood pressure and sugar levels), iron (enables red blood cells to transfer oxygen to the body's tissues), and phosphorus (strengthens bones and teeth). 04 of 05 They promote healthy cell growth. Additionally, Warren notes that mung beans "are very high in folate, providing 80 percent of the recommended dietary intake. This water-soluble B vitamin supports the synthesis of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), along with the metabolism of amino acids. 05 of 05 They work as an antioxidant. Lastly, Warren points out that "the mung bean's high antioxidant content may help to prevent cancer," with studies indicating it as a potential agent against breast, cervical, and liver cancers. RELATED: The Top 7 Antioxidant-Rich Foods You Should Stock Up On Kidney Beans Are Full of Plant-Fueled Protein, Fiber, and More Benefits—Here's Why RDs Highly Recommend Them Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Real Simple is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Jefferson Institute. Mungbeans: a food legume adapted to hot, dry conditions. Date Accessed September 6, 2022. USDA FoodData Central, Mung beans, mature seeds, raw. Accessed November 11, 2022. Filippini T, Naska A, Kasdagli MI, et al. Potassium intake and blood pressure: A dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020;9(12):e015719. doi:10.1161/JAHA.119.015719 National Institutes of Health. Potassium: fact sheet for health professionals. Accessed June 25, 2022. USDA FoodData Central. Mung beans, mature seeds, cooked, boiled, with salt. Date Accessed September 6, 2022. USDA FoodData Central. Mung beans, mature seeds, cooked, boiled, with salt. Date Accessed June 25, 2022. Yeap SK, Mohd Yusof H, Mohamad NE, et al. In vivo immunomodulation and lipid peroxidation activities contributed to chemoprevention effects of fermented mung bean against breast cancer. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:708464. doi:10.1155/2013/708464