Millet vs Adzuki Beans: Which Is Healthier?

Although millet and adzuki beans belong to different food groups, while millet belong is a grain, and adzuki 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 millet and adzuki 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 millet and adzuki beans compare specifically.

Millet

Millet (Panicum miliaceum) is an ancient grain that is grown in many parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, and Europe.

It is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Millet has a mild and nutty flavor and can be used in a variety of ways. It can be cooked and eaten as a side dish, added to soups and stews, or ground into flour and used in baking. It can also be used as a replacement for other grains in recipes. It is often used in traditional African and Asian dishes and an important food source for people in these regions.

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

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Adzuki Beans

Adzuki beans (Vigna angularis), also known as red beans, are a type of small, reddish-brown legume that are native to East Asia.

They have been grown and consumed for thousands of years in countries such as Japan, China, and Korea and are a popular ingredient in many traditional dishes.

One of the main health benefits of adzuki beans is their high protein content.

Adzuki beans are a good source of plant-based protein, making them a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

They are also high in fiber, which can help to improve digestion and lower cholesterol levels.

Adzuki beans are rich in iron, potassium, and B vitamins. They also contain a number of plant compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

In terms of health benefits, adzuki beans have been shown to have many positive effects on the body.

They are a good source of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome.

Adzuki beans may also help to reduce the risk of certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, due to their high content of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.

Adzuki 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).

Millet vs Adzuki Beans Nutrition

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

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

Millet vs Adzuki 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 adzuki beans vs millet for weight loss, adzuki beans are slightly lower in calories, with 329 calories per 100 grams, compared to 378 calories per 100 grams of millet.

However, both millet and adzuki 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.

Millet vs Adzuki Beans Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including millet and adzuki beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Adzuki Beans offer around 45% more protein than millet.

Adzuki Beans have 19.9 grams of protein per 100 grams, while millet has 11 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Millet vs Adzuki 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 millet and adzuki beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 14% higher in millet than in adzuki beans. It have 72.8 grams per 100 grams, compared to 62.9 grams in adzuki beans.

There’s less sugar in millet than in adzuki beans, 100% precisely.

One handful of millet (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of adzuki beans contains 0.2 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in millet and adzuki beans.

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

With 3.6 grams of fiber per portion, adzuki beans are a better source of fiber than millet which offer 2.4 grams per portion.

Millet vs Adzuki Beans Fats

Like most other grains and legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, millet and adzuki beans are low in fat.

Fats in millet and adzuki beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in millet and adzuki beans:

• Millet: 4.2 grams per 100 grams
• Adzuki Beans: 0.5 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, adzuki beans are 71% lower in saturated fats.

Adzuki Beans and millet contain 0.2 grams and 0.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Millet vs Adzuki Beans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of millet and adzuki beans.

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

Millet has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, adzuki beans have a higher amount of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin E.

Millet and adzuki beans contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

Millet vs Adzuki 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 millet and adzuki beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Millet is a better source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc than adzuki beans.

Millet and adzuki beans contain the same amount of fluoride, and sodium.

Check out the table below to learn how millet and adzuki beans compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

Millet and adzuki beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both millet and adzuki 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.