The mung bean is a small green type of legume which has a variety of essential nutrients to offer. Mung beans can be sprouted and eaten raw or cooked and served in casseroles or stews. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, which provides a full nutrient profile, 1 cup of cooked mung beans has 212 calories.
Protein
Protein makes up virtually every cell, tissue and organ in your body. In order to maintain and repair organs and tissues, you need a supply of protein in your diet. One cup of cooked green mung beans provides 14.2 g of protein. The daily amount of protein recommended by the Institute of Medicine is 46 g for women and 56 g for men.
Fiber
Green mung beans are a very good source of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber promotes heart health, helps control blood glucose and insulin concentrations and promotes a healthy gastrointestinal tract. One cup of cooked green mung beans has 15.4 g of dietary fiber. Men should consume 38 g of dietary fiber daily and women should consume 25 g as recommended by the Institute of Medicine.
Iron
Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen to organs and tissues. There are 2.83 mg of iron in a 1 cup serving of cooked green mung beans. The Institute of Medicine recommends women consume 18 mg of iron daily and men consume 8 mg.
Folate
Mung beans are rich in the B vitamin, or folate. Folate is essential for proper growth and development and for the production of red blood cells. A 1 cup serving of cooked green mung beans provides 321 mcg of folate. Adults need 400 mcg of folate daily, as recommended by the Institute of Medicine. It is important for women of childbearing age to consume adequate folate to reduce the risk of birth defects.
Zinc
Zinc is necessary for immune function, wound healing and for the synthesis of protein and DNA. A 1 cup serving of cooked green mung beans supplies 1.7 mg of zinc. According to the Institute of Medicine, men need 11 mg of zinc daily and women need 8 mg. Zinc is also necessary for sense of taste and smell.
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