Buckwheat flour vs Black Beans: How Do They Compare?

Although buckwheat flour and black beans belong to different food groups, while buckwheat flour belong is a grain, and black beans belong to legumes food group, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.
That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares buckwheat flour and black beans, their nutritional values, similarities, differences, macronutrients, and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.
Generally speaking, foods from grains and legume food groups are both high in carbs and protein and valuable addition to a plant-based diet.
Now, let’s see how buckwheat flour and black beans compare specifically.
Buckwheat flour
Buckwheat flour (Fagopyrum esculentum) is made from ground buckwheat groats, which are the hulled seeds of the buckwheat plant. It has a nutty, earthy flavor and a dark color due to the presence of polyphenols.
Buckwheat flour is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. It is also a good source of protein, antioxidants, and flavonoids, making it a valuable food for vegetarians and vegans.
Buckwheat flour is commonly used in baking, particularly in traditional dishes like soba noodles, crepes, and blinis. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
Buckwheat flour is considered a functional food, as it has been shown to positively impact health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. It is also a sustainable crop, as it can be grown in poor soil conditions and is resistant to pests and diseases.
Buckwheat flour is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).
It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin K.
Black Beans
Black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a type of legume that are native to Central and South America.
They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content and rich, nutty flavor.
Black beans are also a good source of antioxidants. They have been shown to have a number of potential health benefits, including reducing the risk of certain types of cancer and helping to lower cholesterol levels.
They are easy to incorporate into a wide range of recipes and can be enjoyed in dishes such as black bean soup, burritos, and salads.
Black Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).
They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin K.
Buckwheat flour vs Black Beans Nutrition
Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing buckwheat flour vs black beans.
This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of buckwheat flour and black beans and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.
| Buckwheat flour | Black Beans | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 335 kcal | 341 kcal |
| Carbs | 70.6 g | 62.4 g |
| Sugar | 2.6 g | 2.12 g |
| Fiber | 10 g | 15.5 g |
| Protein | 12.6 g | 21.6 g |
| Fat | 3.1 g | 1.42 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.677 g | 0.366 g |
Buckwheat flour vs Black Beans Calories
Most calories in raw grains and legumes come from carbs. Peanuts are an exception here, but they are often considered a nut instead of a legume because of their nutritional profile.
Comparing buckwheat flour vs black beans for weight loss, buckwheat flour is slightly lower in calories, with 335 calories per 100 grams, compared to 341 calories per 100 grams of black beans.
However, both buckwheat flour and black 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.
Buckwheat flour vs Black Beans Protein
Legumes and most legume products, including buckwheat flour and black beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.
Black Beans offer around 42% more protein than buckwheat flour.
Black Beans have 21.6 grams of protein per 100 grams, while buckwheat flour has 12.6 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Buckwheat flour vs Black 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 buckwheat flour and black beans.
The total amount of carbohydrates is around 12% higher in buckwheat flour than in black beans. It have 70.6 grams per 100 grams, compared to 62.4 grams in black beans.
There’s less sugar in black beans than in buckwheat flour, 14% precisely.
One handful of black beans (28 grams) contains 0.6 grams of sugar, while the same amount of buckwheat flour contains 0.7 grams.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in buckwheat flour and black beans.
Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.
With 4.3 grams of fiber per portion, black beans are a better source of fiber than buckwheat flour which offer 2.8 grams per portion.
Buckwheat flour vs Black Beans Fats
Like most other grains and legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, buckwheat flour and black beans are low in fat.
Fats in buckwheat flour and black beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.
Total fat in buckwheat flour and black beans:
- Buckwheat flour: 3.1 grams per 100 grams
- Black Beans: 1.4 per 100 grams
Speaking of saturated fats, black beans are 43% lower in saturated fats.
Black Beans and buckwheat flour contain 0.4 grams and 0.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.
Buckwheat flour vs Black Beans Vitamins Content
This section will discuss the vitamin content of buckwheat flour and black beans.
Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.
Buckwheat flour has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and vitamin B9 (Folate).
However, black beans have a higher amount of vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin E, and vitamin K.
Buckwheat flour and black beans contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).
The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins buckwheat flour and black beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.
| Buckwheat flour | Black Beans | |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | 0 | 17 IU |
| Vitamin C | 0 | 0 |
| Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.417 mg | 0.9 mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.19 mg | 0.193 mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 6.15 mg | 1.96 mg |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.44 mg | 0.899 mg |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0.582 mg | 0.286 mg |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 54 µg | 444 µg |
| Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0 | 0 |
| Vitamin E | 0.32 mg | 0.21 mg |
| Vitamin K | 7 µg | 5.6 µg |
Buckwheat flour vs Black 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 buckwheat flour and black beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.
Buckwheat flour is a better source of calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc than black beans.
On the other hand, black beans are a higher amount of magnesium, manganese, selenium, and sodium.
Buckwheat flour and black beans contain the same amount of fluoride.
Check out the table below to learn how buckwheat flour and black beans compare when it comes to mineral content.
| Buckwheat flour | Black Beans | |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 41 mg | 123 mg |
| Copper | 0.515 mg | 0.841 mg |
| Fluoride | 0 | 0 |
| Iron | 4.06 mg | 5.02 mg |
| Magnesium | 251 mg | 171 mg |
| Manganese | 2.03 mg | 1.06 mg |
| Phosphorus | 337 mg | 352 mg |
| Potassium | 577 mg | 1480 mg |
| Selenium | 5.7 µg | 3.2 µg |
| Sodium | 11 mg | 5 mg |
| Zinc | 3.12 mg | 3.65 mg |
The Final Word
Buckwheat flour and black beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.
Both buckwheat flour and black 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 grains 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 and grains 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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Listing of vitamins, Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/listing_of_vitamins/
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Protein And Amino Acid Requirements In Human Nutrition, WHO
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