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Safflower Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans: Which Is Healthier?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between safflower seeds and vigna mungo beans, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the safflower seeds vs vigna mungo beans comparison.
Esther Bumpus, Health Writer

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on March 14, 2023.

Although safflower seeds and vigna mungo 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 safflower seeds belong to the nuts and seeds group, vigna mungo beans belong to legumes food group.

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

Safflower Seeds

Safflower seeds (Carthamus tinctorius) are the seeds of the safflower plant, which is native to the Mediterranean region.

These seeds have a slightly nutty and slightly earthy flavor, and are often used in a variety of dishes, including breads, cereals, and granolas.

Safflower seeds are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.

They are also a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

There are many ways to incorporate safflower seeds into your diet.

They can be eaten raw or roasted, and are often used as a topping for salads and other dishes.

Safflower seeds are also available in a variety of forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Safflower seeds are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores.

They are often sold roasted or raw, and can be purchased with or without the shell.

If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious seed to add to your diet, consider giving safflower seeds a try.

They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.

Safflower Seeds is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

Vigna Mungo Beans

Vigna mungo, also known as black gram or urad bean, is a type of legume native to India.

It is a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to its high protein and fiber content, as well as its rich, nutty flavor.

Vigna mungo is also a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.

It can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, such as black gram dal, curry, and sprouts.

In addition to being a nutritious food, Vigna mungo has been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.

It has been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved blood sugar control, and it may also help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

Vigna Mungo Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B9 (Folate).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin K.

Safflower Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans Nutrition

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

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

Safflower SeedsVigna Mungo Beans
Energy517 kcal341 kcal
Carbs34.3 g59 g
Sugar6.6 g
Fiber18.3 g
Protein16.2 g25.2 g
Fat38.4 g1.64 g
Saturated Fat3.68 g0.114 g

Safflower Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans Calories

Comparing vigna mungo beans vs safflower seeds for weight loss, vigna mungo beans are slightly lower in calories, with 341 calories per 100 grams, compared to 517 calories per 100 grams of safflower seeds.

However, both safflower seeds and vigna mungo 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.

Safflower Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including safflower seeds and vigna mungo beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Vigna Mungo Beans offer around 36% more protein than safflower seeds.

Vigna Mungo Beans have 25.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while safflower seeds has 16.2 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Safflower Seeds vs Vigna Mungo 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 safflower seeds and vigna mungo beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 42% higher in vigna mungo beans than in safflower seeds. They have 59 grams per 100 grams, compared to 34.3 grams in safflower seeds.

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There’s less sugar in safflower seeds than in vigna mungo beans, 100% precisely.

One handful of safflower seeds (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of vigna mungo beans contains 1.8 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in safflower seeds and vigna mungo beans.

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

With 5.1 grams of fiber per portion, vigna mungo beans are a better source of fiber than safflower seeds which offer 0 grams per portion.

Safflower Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans Fats

Fats in safflower seeds and vigna mungo beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in safflower seeds and vigna mungo beans:

  • Safflower Seeds: 38.4 grams per 100 grams
  • Vigna Mungo Beans: 1.6 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, vigna mungo beans are 97% lower in saturated fats.

Vigna Mungo Beans and safflower seeds contain 0.1 grams and 3.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Safflower Seeds vs Vigna Mungo Beans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of safflower seeds and vigna mungo beans.

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

Safflower Seeds has a higher amount of vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

However, vigna mungo beans have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

Safflower Seeds and vigna mungo beans contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

Safflower SeedsVigna Mungo Beans
Vitamin A50 IU23 IU
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)1.16 mg0.273 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.415 mg0.254 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)2.28 mg1.45 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)4.03 mg0.906 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)1.17 mg0.281 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)160 µg216 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E00.51 mg
Vitamin K09 µg

Safflower Seeds vs Vigna Mungo 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 safflower seeds and vigna mungo beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Safflower Seeds is a better source of calcium, fluoride, iron, potassium, selenium, and sodium than vigna mungo beans.

On the other hand, vigna mungo beans are a higher amount of copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc.

Check out the table below to learn how safflower seeds and vigna mungo beans compare when it comes to mineral content.

Safflower SeedsVigna Mungo Beans
Calcium78 mg138 mg
Copper1.75 mg0.981 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron4.9 mg7.57 mg
Magnesium353 mg267 mg
Manganese2.01 mg1.53 mg
Phosphorus644 mg379 mg
Potassium687 mg983 mg
Selenium08.2 µg
Sodium3 mg38 mg
Zinc5.05 mg3.35 mg

The Final Word

Safflower Seeds and vigna mungo beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both safflower seeds and vigna mungo 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.

Sources

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How we ensure this article is accurate?
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