Vital wheat gluten vs Adzuki Beans: What’s The Difference?

Although vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans belong to different food groups, while vital wheat gluten 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 vital wheat gluten 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 vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans compare specifically.
Vital wheat gluten
Vital wheat gluten, also known as wheat gluten (Triticum aestivum), is a plant-based protein derived from wheat.
It is a rich source of micro and micronutrients, including essential amino acids, vitamins such as B-vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium.
Consuming vital wheat gluten has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including improved digestion, weight management, and muscle development. It is also a good source of protein for vegetarians and vegans. It can also be used as a meat substitute.
It is also beneficial for gluten sensitivity as it is gluten-free. Still, it is derived from wheat and contains gluten, so people with celiac disease should avoid it.
Vital wheat gluten is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.
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).
Vital wheat gluten 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 vital wheat gluten vs adzuki beans.
This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.
Vital wheat gluten | Adzuki Beans | |
---|---|---|
Energy | 370 kcal | 329 kcal |
Carbs | 13.8 g | 62.9 g |
Sugar | 0 g | 0.62 g |
Fiber | 0.6 g | 12.7 g |
Protein | 75.2 g | 19.9 g |
Fat | 1.85 g | 0.53 g |
Saturated Fat | 0.272 g | 0.191 g |
Vital wheat gluten 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 vital wheat gluten for weight loss, adzuki beans are slightly lower in calories, with 329 calories per 100 grams, compared to 370 calories per 100 grams of vital wheat gluten.
However, both vital wheat gluten 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.
Vital wheat gluten vs Adzuki Beans Protein
Legumes and most legume products, including vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.
Vital wheat gluten offers around 74% more protein than adzuki beans.
Vital wheat gluten has 75.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while adzuki beans have 19.9 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Vital wheat gluten 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 vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans.
The total amount of carbohydrates is around 78% higher in adzuki beans than in vital wheat gluten. They have 62.9 grams per 100 grams, compared to 13.8 grams in vital wheat gluten.
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There’s less sugar in vital wheat gluten than in adzuki beans, 100% precisely.
One handful of vital wheat gluten (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 vital wheat gluten 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 vital wheat gluten which offer 0.2 grams per portion.
Vital wheat gluten vs Adzuki Beans Fats
Like most other grains and legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans are low in fat.
Fats in vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.
Total fat in vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans:
- Vital wheat gluten: 1.9 grams per 100 grams
- Adzuki Beans: 0.5 per 100 grams
Speaking of saturated fats, adzuki beans are 33% lower in saturated fats.
Adzuki Beans and vital wheat gluten contain 0.2 grams and 0.3 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.
Vital wheat gluten vs Adzuki Beans Vitamins Content
This section will discuss the vitamin content of vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans.
Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.
Vital wheat gluten has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.
Vital wheat gluten 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 vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.
Vital wheat gluten | Adzuki Beans | |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | 0 | 17 IU |
Vitamin C | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0 | 0.455 mg |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0 | 0.22 mg |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0 | 2.63 mg |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0 | 1.47 mg |
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0 | 0.351 mg |
Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 0 | 622 µg |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin E | 0 | 0.01 mg |
Vitamin K | 0 | 2.4 µg |
Vital wheat gluten 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 vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.
Vital wheat gluten is a better source of copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc than adzuki beans.
On the other hand, adzuki beans are a higher amount of calcium, iron, selenium, and sodium.
Vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans contain the same amount of fluoride.
Check out the table below to learn how vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans compare when it comes to mineral content.
Vital wheat gluten | Adzuki Beans | |
---|---|---|
Calcium | 142 mg | 66 mg |
Copper | 0.182 mg | 1.09 mg |
Fluoride | 0 | 0 |
Iron | 5.2 mg | 4.98 mg |
Magnesium | 25 mg | 127 mg |
Manganese | 0 | 1.73 mg |
Phosphorus | 260 mg | 381 mg |
Potassium | 100 mg | 1250 mg |
Selenium | 39.7 µg | 3.1 µg |
Sodium | 29 mg | 5 mg |
Zinc | 0.85 mg | 5.04 mg |
The Final Word
Vital wheat gluten and adzuki beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.
Both vital wheat gluten 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.
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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https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/nutrientrecommendations.aspx
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Protein And Amino Acid Requirements In Human Nutrition, WHO
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