Miso vs Pinto Beans: Which One is Better for You?
Miso and pinto beans belong to the legumes and legume products food group, one of the staple food groups for people on a plant-based diet.
Legumes and most legume products are an affordable source of plant protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc, minerals that are usually harder to get on a plant-based diet.
This article will thoroughly compare miso and pinto beans and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.
Miso
Miso (fermented soybean paste) is a traditional Japanese condiment made by fermenting soybeans with salt and a type of fungus called koji.
It is a thick, paste-like substance that adds flavor to various dishes, such as soups, sauces, and marinades.
Miso is an important part of Japanese cuisine and has been used for centuries to preserve and enhance food flavor.
One of the main health benefits of miso is its high protein content. Miso is made from soybeans, a good source of plant-based protein, making it a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.
Miso also contains many nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The fermentation process used to make miso also helps to increase the bioavailability of these nutrients, making them easier for the body to absorb.
In terms of health benefits, miso has been shown to have many positive effects on the body.
It is a good source of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome.
Miso may also help to reduce the risk of certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, due to its high content of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.
Miso is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.
However, it contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin K and some Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).
Pinto Beans
Pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a type of legume 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, as well as their rich, nutty flavor.
Pinto 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 pinto bean soup, chili, and salads.
In addition to being a nutritious food, pinto 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.
Pinto Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).
They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) and some Vitamin C, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin K.
Miso vs Pinto Beans Nutrition
Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing miso vs pinto beans.
This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of miso and pinto beans and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.
Miso | Pinto Beans | |
---|---|---|
Energy | 198 kcal | 347 kcal |
Carbs | 25.4 g | 62.6 g |
Sugar | 6.2 g | 2.11 g |
Fiber | 5.4 g | 15.5 g |
Protein | 12.8 g | 21.4 g |
Fat | 6.01 g | 1.23 g |
Saturated Fat | 1.02 g | 0.235 g |
Miso vs Pinto Beans Calories
Most calories in raw 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 miso vs pinto beans for weight loss, miso is slightly lower in calories, with 198 calories per 100 grams, compared to 347 calories per 100 grams of pinto beans.
However, both miso and pinto 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.
Miso vs Pinto Beans Protein
Legumes and most legume products, including miso and pinto beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.
Pinto Beans offer around 40% more protein than miso.
Pinto Beans have 21.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, while miso has 12.8 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Miso vs Pinto 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 miso and pinto beans.
The total amount of carbohydrates is around 59% higher in pinto beans than in miso. They have 62.6 grams per 100 grams, compared to 25.4 grams in miso.
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There’s less sugar in pinto beans than in miso, 65% precisely.
One handful of pinto beans (28 grams) contains 0.6 grams of sugar, while the same amount of miso contains 1.7 grams.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in miso and pinto 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, pinto beans are a better source of fiber than miso which offer 1.5 grams per portion.
Miso vs Pinto Beans Fats
Like most other legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, miso and pinto beans are low in fat.
Fats in miso and pinto beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.
Total fat in miso and pinto beans:
- Miso: 6 grams per 100 grams
- Pinto Beans: 1.2 per 100 grams
Speaking of saturated fats, pinto beans are 80% lower in saturated fats.
Pinto Beans and miso contain 0.2 grams and 1 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.
Miso vs Pinto Beans Vitamins Content
This section will discuss the vitamin content of miso and pinto beans.
Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.
Miso has a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.
However, pinto beans have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), and vitamin K.
Miso and pinto beans contain the same amount of vitamin D.
The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins miso and pinto beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.
Miso | Pinto Beans | |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | 87 IU | 0 |
Vitamin C | 0 | 6.3 mg |
Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.098 mg | 0.713 mg |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.233 mg | 0.212 mg |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.906 mg | 1.17 mg |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.337 mg | 0.785 mg |
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0.199 mg | 0.474 mg |
Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 19 µg | 525 µg |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0.08 µg | 0 |
Vitamin E | 0.01 mg | 0.21 mg |
Vitamin K | 29.3 µg | 5.6 µg |
Miso vs Pinto 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 miso and pinto beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.
Miso is a better source of calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium than pinto beans.
On the other hand, pinto beans are a higher amount of sodium, and zinc.
Check out the table below to learn how miso and pinto beans compare when it comes to mineral content.
Miso | Pinto Beans | |
---|---|---|
Calcium | 57 mg | 113 mg |
Copper | 0.42 mg | 0.893 mg |
Fluoride | 0 | 2.2 µg |
Iron | 2.49 mg | 5.07 mg |
Magnesium | 48 mg | 176 mg |
Manganese | 0.859 mg | 1.15 mg |
Phosphorus | 159 mg | 411 mg |
Potassium | 210 mg | 1390 mg |
Selenium | 7 µg | 27.9 µg |
Sodium | 3730 mg | 12 mg |
Zinc | 2.56 mg | 2.28 mg |
The Final Word
Miso and pinto beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.
Both miso and pinto 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 beans 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 are 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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Nutrient Recommendations: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences Engineering, and Medicine
https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/nutrientrecommendations.aspx
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Protein And Amino Acid Requirements In Human Nutrition, WHO
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43411/WHO_TRS_935_eng.pdf
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