The nutritional benefits of winged bean have been known since a long time. Check out the information given about the nutritional value and health benefits of consuming winged beans.

Benefits Of Winged Bean

Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) popularly known as the Goa bean is a tropical legume found growing abundantly in hot, humid equatorial countries. Thus, one might often come across this plant in countries like India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia. Certain varieties of the plant are also found growing abundantly in parts of the America. Typically growing as a vine, the plant reaches an average height of 3 to 4 meters and is usually perennial in nature. However, the plant can also be grown as an annual. The skin or the outer covering of the plant is found to be waxy while the flesh in the young pods is slightly translucent. However, when the pods turn slightly mature, they turn into an ash-brown color and finally splits revealing the inner seeds. The flowers on the other hand have a slight blue hue and the beans themselves are renowned for their high nutritional content. One of the greatest uses of this plant is that they help in the process of nitrogen fixation with the aid of the soil bacterium Rhizobium. As a result of its ability to fix nitrogen using a natural process, the plant requires very little or no fertilizers. To know more about this unique plant species, read the information given below. 
 
Nutritional Value Of Winged Beans
 
Amount of Winged Beans (mature seeds, raw): 1 cup
Total Weight of Winged Beans: 182 grams
 
Nutrients
Amount
Basic Components
 
Protein 
54.0 g
Carbohydrates
75.9 g
Water
15.2 g
Ash
7.2 g
Calories
 
Total Calories
3115 KJ
Calories From Fat
1043 KJ
Calories From Carbohydrate
Calories From Protein
1294 KJ
783 KJ
Carbohydrates
 
Dietary Fiber
75.9 g
Starch
75.9 g
Sugars
75.9 g
 Glucose
75.9 g
 Sucrose
75.9 g
 Fructose
75.9 g
 Lactose
 Maltose
 Galactose
75.9 g
75.9 g
75.9 g
Fats
 
Total Fat
29.7 g
Saturated Fat
4.2 g
Mono Fat
10.9 g
Poly Fat 
7.9 g
Vitamins
 
Thiamin
1.9 mg
Riboflavin
0.8 mg
Niacin
5.6 mg
Vitamin B6
0.3 mg
Betaine
1.4 mg
Folate
81.9 mcg
Pantothenic Acid
1.4 mg
Minerals
 
Calcium
801 mg
Copper
5.2 mg
Iron
24.5 mg
Magnesium
326 mg
Manganese
6.8 mg
Phosphorus
821 mg
Potassium
1778 mg
Selenium
14.9 mcg
Sodium
69.2 mg
Zinc
8.2 mg
Amino Acids
 
Alanine
1893 mg
Arginine
3433 mg
Aspartate
5801 mg
Cystine
992 mg
Glutamate
7298 mg
Glycine
2075 mg
Histidine
1438 mg
Isoleucine
2672 mg
Leucine
4544 mg
Lysine
3887 mg
Methionine
648 mg
Phenylalanine
2601 mg
Proline
3502 mg
Serine
2248 mg
Threonine
2146 mg
Tryptophan
1387 mg
Tyrosine
2651 mg
Valine
2785 mg
 
Health Benefits Of Consuming Winged Bean 
  • Winged beans have the highest calcium content among all legumes and as such, are very beneficial for the human skeletal system. The calcium present in these beans helps in the production and maintenance of the bones and provides strength to overcome diseases and weaknesses.
  • Winged beans are also a good source of natural minerals, vitamins (especially A and C), iron and enzymes.
  • As a legume, wing bean scores high on protein content. In other words, it proves to be a good source of protein for humans as well as animals. 
Tips
  • While buying winged beans, make sure that they are not wilted. At the same time, there should be no brown spots on the beans.
  • The best way to store winged beans is to keep them in a plastic bag and put inside the refrigerator. They will hold well for 2-3 days.
  • Before cooking winged beans, it is advisable to rinse them thoroughly, under cold running water. Then, part them dry, remove the stem and stir-fry.
  • The tuber and young leaves of winged beans can be used in salads.
  • Winged bean flour can be used as a protein supplement, while making bread.
  • The flowers of winged beans can be used to color rice and pastries. 
Caution
Although there are no reports of any kind of post-harvest illness, research has indicated that the plant species is highly susceptible to different fungal, viral, bacterial and nematode diseases. Apart from this, there is also a high probability of contamination of stock by mold fungi.

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