Mung beans are edible seeds that belong to the legume plant family, a staple in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Mung beans are becoming increasingly popular as a protein substitute in Western cuisine.
About Mung Beans
Mung beans (also named green grams or golden grahams) are small olive-green pulses from a plant species called Vigna radiata, which belongs to the legumes (Leguminosae) family. Originating in the warm lands of India, mung beans are enriched with carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers and active biochemicals, thus offering a variety of health benefits which are believed to aid many ailments. However, the best thing about these energy-packed, slightly sweet beans is that they are extremely versatile. Not only do they come filled with nutrients, they also offer skincare benefits. In fact, they have long been used for their anti-aging and radiance-boosting properties.
The Mung Beans Trend
The popularity of this trend is currently being driven by numerous factors, including extraordinary health benefits and current dietary habits. Being higher in nutritional value than chickpeas and black beans, mung beans serve health-conscious consumers seeking a satisfying protein alternative to round out their diet. Consumers in 2021 are focusing more on natural diets that prioritize protein from natural sources, so Mung bean, which is a good source of protein, is on the rise among health-conscious consumers.
Market Insight and Opportunities
With more North American consumers focusing on diets that prioritize health rather than calorie restriction, individuals in this space are constantly seeking out unfamiliar ingredients to accommodate their dietary choices. The growth of choice in the alternative food category has resulted in consumers researching what's best for them rather than simply accepting limited options, as they had to in the past. Hence, mung bean noodles and snacks, which provide protein, texture, and health benefits to consumers seeking novel foods as well as satisfying their health needs. Leading companies should embrace this adventure and try to appeal to consumers who want to step out of their comfort zone. This shouldn't be so challenging, given that this bean has many benefits.
Innovative Mung Bean Products
Crunchsters’ Sprouted Organic Mung Bean Snacks
These portable, nutritious snacks spotlight the mung bean as a simple superfood ingredient and a great source of minerals, vitamins and plant-based protein. Crunchsters are non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free and available in three flavors enhanced with artisanal spice blends: Smoky Balsamic, Beyond Bacon and Sea Salt. Crunchsters notes that its product is "often compared to potato chips," yet its snacks provide three times the protein and twice the fiber of chip snacks of the same caloric value.
Mung Bean Pasta
To better support their overall health and wellness, many consumers are turning to better-for-you versions of classic comfort foods that are packed with nutrients and plant-powered ingredients. From black bean spaghetti to edamame fettuccine, the Explore Cuisine brand makes a range of vibrant bean-based pasta products—and the newest addition to its collection is a mung bean pasta. Appealing to consumers for its organic, plant-based, non-GMO and gluten-free properties, this all-new pasta product will catch the eye of health-conscious consumers who appreciate utmost simplicity, as mung bean pasta is made with just one ingredient: organic mung bean flour. Additionally, the product boasts 13 grams of protein per serving, which makes it far superior in comparison to traditional wheat pasta.
What Are Mung Beans Good for? - the Health Benefits
This small yet impressive green bean is making a name for itself thanks to its versatile health benefits that complement some of the recent hot diet trends such as plant-based diets, rich fiber diets and the vegan and vegetarian movements. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), mung beans nourish us from within by delivering plenty of essential nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, fats, dietary fibers, vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B9 or folate), and minerals (iron, copper, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and selenium). Here are 4 of its many benefits:
1. Amazing plant-based protein source
Mung beans are an incredible source of plant-based protein. These small-but-mighty beans are rich in several essential amino acids, such as leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, lysine, arginine, valine and many more.
2. Rich in fiber
The beauty of plant proteins like mung beans is that they provide so much on top of their protein content. Mung beans contain abundant fiber – both soluble and insoluble.
3. Antioxidant powers
Mung beans contain a lot of antioxidants, including flavonoids, caffeic acid, cinnamic acid and more. Our bodies use antioxidants to combat potentially harmful compounds called free radicals that can damage our cells. This is often referred to as oxidative stress – too much of which can lead to health issues. It’s believed sprouted mung beans contain as much as six times more antioxidants than regular mung beans.
4. They’re a natural source of several B vitamins
Mung beans are a natural source of B vitamins. They are especially rich in thiamine (Vitamin B1) and pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5), both of which can help our nervous systems function and reduce feelings of tiredness and fatigue.
How Mung Bean Benefits the Skin?
Many store-bought face masks nowadays, especially Chinese/Japanese masks, contain mung bean powder as a deep cleansing and exfoliating product. In India, mung bean (which is popularly known as green gram or mung dal) has been used since ancient times for skin and hair cleansing, by first grinding it into a fine powder. Just like graham flour, mung bean powder is used as a natural and effective non-foaming soap that can safely be used for people with sensitive skin and inflammatory skin conditions like eczema.
Clear the Skin and Reduce Acne
Traditional Chinese medicinal texts categories mung beans as sweet in taste and cooling in nature. Mung beans affect the Heart channel and clear heat and toxins from the skin, and cool heat in the blood. Mung beans therefore help reduce acne and other skin symptoms such as the common skin rash, cold sores, mouth ulcers, pimples and boils. The phytoestrogens found in mung beans also contain anti-aging properties that stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which benefit healthier skin.
Extra! DIY Mung Bean
This is a great scrub you can use when you’re in a rush. It only takes a few minutes and will leave your skin looking flawless. The natural mung bean exfoliating scrub is especially beneficial for acne-prone skin. It helps get rid of facial or bodily acne within just a few days of continuous use. Long-term use will drastically improve the condition of your skin, and noticeable effects can be observed within a month.
Ingredients:
- Mung beans – 1 cup
- Lukewarm water or warm sage tea – 1 cup
- Any essential oil of your choice (we recommend lavender or rose oil) – 2- 3 drops
- A soft face cloth
Steps:
1. Prepare a fine powder using your mung beans. Ensure that your mung beans are clean and dust-free before putting them into the blender. The best way to do this is to wipe them with a towel. However, do not wash them with water, as they need to be dry in order for them to be properly pulverized. Pour the powdered mung beans into a bowl and set it aside.
2. Next, add the essential oil to the lukewarm water or warm sage tea, and dampen the face cloth by dipping it into the mixture.
3. Place the damp face cloth evenly over your face and press down lightly with your fingers. Wait for 10-15 minutes so that all the oil, dirt and grime from your face sticks to the cloth and can be lifted off to properly cleanse your skin. Remove the cloth carefully and discard it.
4. Pour a small heap of mung bean powder onto your palm. Take a tiny amount and gently exfoliate your face with it, one area at a time. You must use the pulp of your fingertips for this purpose, and avoid applying too much pressure while scrubbing.
Continue the exfoliation for up to 3 minutes. Finally, rinse it off with cold water and pat dry.
Interested to Learn More About Top Beauty Trends? Read, Why Are Mushrooms Popular in Skincare These Days?