Flax Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans: What’s The Difference?

Although flax seeds and vigna mungo beans belong to different food groups, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.
While flax seeds belong to the nuts and seeds group, vigna mungo beans belong to legumes food group.
That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares flax seeds and vigna mungo beans, their nutritional values, similarities, differences, macronutrients, and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.
Generally speaking, foods from nuts and seeds group are usually higher in healthy fats and lower in carbs than legumes, but both are valuable addition to a plant-based diet.
Now, let’s see how flax seeds and vigna mungo beans compare specifically.
Flax Seeds
Flax seeds (Linum usitatissimum) are small, golden, or brown seeds that have a nutty and slightly earthy flavor.
These seeds have been used for centuries as food and for their medicinal properties and are now gaining popularity as a health food.
Flax seeds are a good source of fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, making them a valuable addition to a plant-based diet.
They are also high in lignans, which are plant compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant and estrogen-like effects.
There are many ways to incorporate flax seeds into your diet. They can be eaten raw or ground into a meal and can be added to various dishes, including smoothies, baked goods, and even savory dishes.
Flax seeds are also available in oil form, which can be used as a healthy alternative to vegetable oil in cooking.
It is important to note that flax seeds should be ground before consumption, as the whole seeds may pass through the digestive system undigested.
They should also be stored in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them fresh and prevent them from going rancid.
If you want to add more fiber, protein, and healthy fats to your diet, consider giving flax seeds a try. They are versatile, nutritious, and may have various health benefits.
Flax Seeds is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).
It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin K.
Vigna Mungo Beans
Vigna mungo, also known as black gram or urad bean, is a type of legume native to India.
It is a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to its high protein and fiber content, as well as its rich, nutty flavor.
Vigna mungo is also a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.
It can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, such as black gram dal, curry, and sprouts.
In addition to being a nutritious food, Vigna mungo has been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.
It has been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved blood sugar control, and it may also help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
Vigna Mungo Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B9 (Folate).
They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin K.
Flax Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans Nutrition
Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing flax seeds vs vigna mungo beans.
This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of flax seeds and vigna mungo beans and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.
Flax Seeds | Vigna Mungo Beans | |
---|---|---|
Energy | 534 kcal | 341 kcal |
Carbs | 28.9 g | 59 g |
Sugar | 1.55 g | 6.6 g |
Fiber | 27.3 g | 18.3 g |
Protein | 18.3 g | 25.2 g |
Fat | 42.2 g | 1.64 g |
Saturated Fat | 3.66 g | 0.114 g |
Flax Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans Calories
Comparing vigna mungo beans vs flax seeds for weight loss, vigna mungo beans are slightly lower in calories, with 341 calories per 100 grams, compared to 534 calories per 100 grams of flax seeds.
However, both flax seeds and vigna mungo beans can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.
Flax Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans Protein
Legumes and most legume products, including flax seeds and vigna mungo beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.
Vigna Mungo Beans offer around 27% more protein than flax seeds.
Vigna Mungo Beans have 25.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while flax seeds has 18.3 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Flax Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans Carbs
Counting carbs can be important for some people for different reasons, including blood sugar control, weight management, or athletic performance.
It’s also important for people on a keto diet, so let’s compare the carbs content in flax seeds and vigna mungo beans.
The total amount of carbohydrates is around 51% higher in vigna mungo beans than in flax seeds. They have 59 grams per 100 grams, compared to 28.9 grams in flax seeds.
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There’s less sugar in flax seeds than in vigna mungo beans, 78% precisely.
One handful of flax seeds (28 grams) contains 0.4 grams of sugar, while the same amount of vigna mungo beans contains 1.8 grams.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in flax seeds and vigna mungo beans.
Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.
With 7.6 grams of fiber per portion, flax seeds is a better source of fiber than vigna mungo beans which flax seeds offers 5.1 grams per portion.
Flax Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans Fats
Fats in flax seeds and vigna mungo beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.
Total fat in flax seeds and vigna mungo beans:
- Flax Seeds: 42.2 grams per 100 grams
- Vigna Mungo Beans: 1.6 per 100 grams
Speaking of saturated fats, vigna mungo beans are 97% lower in saturated fats.
Vigna Mungo Beans and flax seeds contain 0.1 grams and 3.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.
Flax Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans Vitamins Content
This section will discuss the vitamin content of flax seeds and vigna mungo beans.
Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.
Flax Seeds has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.
However, vigna mungo beans have a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).
Flax Seeds and vigna mungo beans contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).
The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins flax seeds and vigna mungo beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.
Flax Seeds | Vigna Mungo Beans | |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | 0 | 23 IU |
Vitamin C | 0.6 mg | 0 |
Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 1.64 mg | 0.273 mg |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.161 mg | 0.254 mg |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 3.08 mg | 1.45 mg |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.985 mg | 0.906 mg |
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0.473 mg | 0.281 mg |
Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 87 µg | 216 µg |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin E | 0.31 mg | 0.51 mg |
Vitamin K | 4.3 µg | 9 µg |
Flax Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans Minerals Content
Minerals are important for our body to function properly. We need only a small amount of minerals, so they are called micronutrients.
Some minerals, like iron, calcium, zinc or, iodine, are relatively hard to get on a plant-based diet, so it’s important to choose your foods thoughtfully. This part of the flax seeds and vigna mungo beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.
Flax Seeds is a better source of fluoride, iron, potassium, and sodium than vigna mungo beans.
On the other hand, vigna mungo beans are a higher amount of calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.
Check out the table below to learn how flax seeds and vigna mungo beans compare when it comes to mineral content.
Flax Seeds | Vigna Mungo Beans | |
---|---|---|
Calcium | 255 mg | 138 mg |
Copper | 1.22 mg | 0.981 mg |
Fluoride | 0 | 2.2 µg |
Iron | 5.73 mg | 7.57 mg |
Magnesium | 392 mg | 267 mg |
Manganese | 2.48 mg | 1.53 mg |
Phosphorus | 642 mg | 379 mg |
Potassium | 813 mg | 983 mg |
Selenium | 25.4 µg | 8.2 µg |
Sodium | 30 mg | 38 mg |
Zinc | 4.34 mg | 3.35 mg |
The Final Word
Flax Seeds and vigna mungo beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.
Both flax seeds and vigna mungo beans are high in specific vitamins and minerals, and including them in your diet will give you the most benefits they offer.
Antioxidants found in nuts, seeds and legumes can help to protect cells from damage and may reduce the risk of certain diseases and the effects of aging.
Additionally, the fiber and other nutrients in these foods can support the health of the digestive system and may even help to prevent certain digestive cancers.
Legumes, nuts and seeds are a versatile food that can be incorporated into any meal of the day, including breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They can be served hot or cold, making them a convenient and tasty addition to a variety of dishes.
Holy Peas has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals, associations and government institutions. Read more about our process.
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