Chia Seeds vs Mung Beans: How Are They Different?

Although chia seeds and mung 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 chia seeds belong to the nuts and seeds group, mung beans belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares chia seeds and mung 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 chia seeds and mung beans compare specifically.

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica) are small, black seeds that come from the chia plant, which is native to Central and South America.

These seeds have gained popularity recently as a health food due to their high fiber and nutrient content.

Chia seeds have a slightly nutty and slightly earthy flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked.

They can be added to a variety of dishes, including smoothies, cereals, and baked goods, or used as a topping for salads and other dishes.

Chia seeds are also available in oil form, which can be used in cooking or as a salad dressing.

Chia seeds are a good source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids.

They are also a good source of various vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Overall, chia seeds are a nutritious and versatile food that can be a valuable addition to a plant-based diet.

If you’re looking to add more fiber, protein, and healthy fats to your diet, consider giving chia seeds a try. They are versatile, nutritious, and may have a variety of health benefits.

Chia Seeds is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Mung Beans

Mung beans (Vigna radiata), also known as green gram or moong bean, are a type of legume native to India and Southeast Asia.

They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content, as well as their delicate, nutty flavor.

Mung beans are also a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.

They can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, such as mung bean soup, sprouts, and curry.

In addition to being a nutritious food, mung beans have been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.

They have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved blood sugar control and may also help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

Mung Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K.

Chia Seeds vs Mung Beans Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing chia seeds vs mung beans.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of chia seeds and mung beans and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Chia Seeds vs Mung Beans Calories

Comparing mung beans vs chia seeds for weight loss, mung beans are slightly lower in calories, with 347 calories per 100 grams, compared to 486 calories per 100 grams of chia seeds.

However, both chia seeds and mung 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.

Chia Seeds vs Mung Beans Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including chia seeds and mung beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Mung Beans offer around 31% more protein than chia seeds.

Mung Beans have 23.9 grams of protein per 100 grams, while chia seeds has 16.5 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Chia Seeds vs Mung 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 chia seeds and mung beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 33% higher in mung beans than in chia seeds. They have 62.6 grams per 100 grams, compared to 42.1 grams in chia seeds.

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There’s less sugar in chia seeds than in mung beans, 100% precisely.

One handful of chia seeds (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of mung beans contains 1.8 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in chia seeds and mung beans.

Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.

With 9.6 grams of fiber per portion, chia seeds is a better source of fiber than mung beans which chia seeds offers 4.6 grams per portion.

Chia Seeds vs Mung Beans Fats

Fats in chia seeds and mung beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in chia seeds and mung beans:

• Chia Seeds: 30.7 grams per 100 grams
• Mung Beans: 1.2 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, mung beans are 91% lower in saturated fats.

Mung Beans and chia seeds contain 0.3 grams and 3.3 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Chia Seeds vs Mung Beans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of chia seeds and mung beans.

Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.

Chia Seeds has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

However, mung beans have a higher amount of vitamin B3 (Niacin).

Chia Seeds and mung beans contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins chia seeds and mung beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Chia Seeds vs Mung 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 chia seeds and mung beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Chia Seeds is a better source of copper, fluoride, and potassium than mung beans.

On the other hand, mung beans are a higher amount of calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc.

Check out the table below to learn how chia seeds and mung beans compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

Chia Seeds and mung beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both chia seeds and mung 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.