Why the Green Gram Is Being Touted as the Next Superfood

Touted as the next superfood, the ​green gram​ is one of the best plant-based protein sources in the world. It's used in both sweet and savory dishes, providing large amounts of antioxidants and phytochemicals.

You've probably already tried it, though you may know it under a different name, such as ​mung bean​, ​green moong​, ​maash​ or ​pachai payaru​. This small, green legume can improve your digestion, reduce cholesterol levels and boost immune function. But what exactly makes it so healthy?

The mung bean or green gram is a type of ​pulse​ that belongs to the​ Fabaceae​ family. It looks like a small, green seed and can be cooked in the same way as lentils. It's widely consumed in Southern Europe and in Asian countries, and can be purchased whole or as split seeds. Many specialty stores sell mung bean bran and processed foods, such as noodles, pasta and flour made from mung beans.

​Read more:​ What Pulses Are and Why You Should Be Eating Them

According to the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, this legume packs a lot of ​iron and protein​. It's an excellent source of dietary fiber, carotenoids, polyphenols and other bioactive compounds that promote optimal health. Unlike other beans, it's ​easily digestible and doesn't need to be soaked​ prior to cooking.

Depending on your preferences, you can use mung beans as a substitute for lentils or split peas, mix them with veggies, or serve them with curry and rice for an Indian-style meal. These pulses make a healthy addition to salads, meat and pasta dishes, stews, soups and casseroles. Go ahead and try recipes like mung beans with coconut curry, vegan mung bean patties, sprouted mung bean sauté or moong dal.

The humble mung bean is a powerhouse of nutrition. According to a 2018 review published in Food Science and Human Wellness, it contains potent ​bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties​. The nutrients in green gram may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases, improve blood lipids and lower blood pressure. Their anti-diabetes and anti-cancer effects are well-documented.

This superfood packs a lot of protein per serving, which makes it ideal for vegans. Plus, it's low in fat and calories. A recent study, which was published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications in 2018, found that ​mung bean protein can offset the weight gain associated with a high-fat diet​. Furthermore, it causes positive changes in the gut flora and protects against hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease).

Green moong packs high amounts of polyphenols, flavonoids, amino acids and other beneficial compounds. These nutrients improve lipid metabolism, fight inflammation and kill disease-causing germs. Additionally, mung beans are about ​20 percent to 24 percent protein​ and boast more than ​15 grams of fiber​ per cup. A diet rich in fiber and protein can make it easier to lose weight and cut back on calories, advises a 2018 study featured in the journal Nutrition.

As you see, the green gram isn't just healthy and nutritious, but diet-friendly too. When consumed regularly, it can boost your vitamin and mineral intake, prevent deficiencies and ward off chronic diseases. A cup of cooked mung beans has ​only 212 calories​, 23.3 grams of net carbs and less than 1 gram of fat. It also delivers ​14.2 grams of protein​ and large doses of micronutrients, including:

• 80 percent of the DV (daily value) of folate
• 22 percent of the DV of thiamin
• 3 percent of the DV of vitamin C
• 7 percent of the DV of vitamin K
• 30 percent of the DV of manganese
• 24 percent of the DV of magnesium
• 15 percent of the DV of potassium
• 11 percent of the DV of zinc
• 20 percent of the DV of phosphorus
• 16 percent of the DV of iron
• 18.2 milligrams of omega-3

As the American Journal of Plant Sciences notes, green moong is easier to digest than lentils, chickpeas and other legumes. It's also less likely to cause bloating and gas and contains less phytic acid than soybeans and grains. Phytic acid is an anti-nutrient that affects your body's ability to absorb iron and other minerals.

Pachai payaru health benefits don't end here. The phytonutrients in this superfood have the ability to ​kill bacteria and other pathogens​. According to a 2014 study featured in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, mung bean powder may protect against meat bacteria and reduce spoilage.

These legumes are packed with thiamin, riboflavin, folate and other B vitamins that are particularly good for women. ​Folate​, for example, may reduce the risk of neural tube defects, autism, stroke and heart disease. ​Thiamin​ plays a vital role in growth and development. This water-soluble vitamin also protects against metabolic problems that may affect the placenta and fetus during pregnancy.

​Read more:​ The 10 Most Annoying Women's Health Issues and How to Fix Them

​Riboflavin​, one of the abundant B vitamins in mung beans, is essential for moms-to-be. According to the National Institutes of Health, preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and birth defects are more common in women with riboflavin deficiency.

Green gram is also a good source of ​calcium​. This mineral supports blood clotting, muscle contraction and bone growth. It also keeps your bones strong, which in turn, may help prevent osteoporosis, a disease that affects one in three women over 50 years old.

Rich in fiber and antioxidants, mung beans protect your heart and ​reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol levels​. A 2015 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine confirms their ​hypolipidemic effects​. Hypercholesterolemic mice fed with fermented mung beans experienced a greater reduction in triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels than those treated with medications.

​Read more:​ The 14 Best Foods for Your Heart

Another study, which appeared in the journal Nutrients in 2018, found that cooked and germinated mung beans exhibit ​hepatoprotective effects​. These legumes may help prevent liver damage and reduce fat accumulation in the liver while increasing cholesterol excretion. Germinated beans appear to be particularly beneficial.

Elevated cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease. Eating mung beans is a simple, convenient way to ​keep your heart healthy​. When consumed as part of a balanced diet, these legumes may help prevent obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension, inflammation and oxidative stress, all of which play a role in the development of cardiovascular problems. Plus, they're versatile and can be cooked in a multitude of ways, so you can always experiment with new recipes.