Quinoa vs Adzuki Beans: Which Is Healthier?

Although quinoa and adzuki beans belong to different food groups, while quinoa 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 quinoa 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 quinoa and adzuki beans compare specifically.

Quinoa

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a grain-like crop grown for its edible seeds.

It is a good source of complete protein, providing all essential amino acids, and also rich in dietary fibers, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc.

Quinoa also contains antioxidants, flavonoids, and anti-inflammatory compounds, which have been linked to various health benefits, including improved blood sugar control, cardiovascular health, and weight management.

It is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked and eaten as a side dish, added to soups and stews, or ground into flour to make breads, pancakes, and other baked goods.

Quinoa is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin E.

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).

Quinoa 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 quinoa vs adzuki beans.

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

Quinoa 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 quinoa for weight loss, adzuki beans are slightly lower in calories, with 329 calories per 100 grams, compared to 368 calories per 100 grams of quinoa.

However, both quinoa 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.

Quinoa vs Adzuki Beans Protein

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

Adzuki Beans offer around 29% more protein than quinoa.

Adzuki Beans have 19.9 grams of protein per 100 grams, while quinoa has 14.1 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Quinoa 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 quinoa and adzuki beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 2% higher in quinoa than in adzuki beans. It have 64.2 grams per 100 grams, compared to 62.9 grams in adzuki beans.

There’s less sugar in adzuki beans than in quinoa, 50% precisely.

One handful of adzuki beans (28 grams) contains 0.2 grams of sugar, while the same amount of quinoa contains 0.4 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in quinoa 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 quinoa which offer 2 grams per portion.

Quinoa vs Adzuki Beans Fats

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

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

Total fat in quinoa and adzuki beans:

• Quinoa: 6.1 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 quinoa contain 0.2 grams and 0.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Quinoa vs Adzuki Beans Vitamins Content

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

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

Quinoa has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

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

Quinoa 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 quinoa and adzuki beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Quinoa 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 quinoa and adzuki beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Quinoa is a better source of calcium, copper, iron, potassium, and zinc than adzuki beans.

On the other hand, adzuki beans are a higher amount of magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and selenium.

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

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

The Final Word

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

Both quinoa 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.