Cowpeas are rich in fibers, plant-based proteins, vitamins (A, C, thiamine, riboflavin, folate, and B6), iron, selenium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper, which have countless health benefits.
Is cow peas rich in protein?
Cowpea is a nutritious food source rich in protein (~24%), dietary fiber (~11%), and potassium (1112 mg/100 g) while low in lipids (<2%) and sodium (16 mg/100 g) (U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2021).
Is cowpea a protein or carbohydrate?
Abstract. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a legume consumed as a high‐quality plant protein source in many parts of the world. High protein and carbohydrate contents with relatively low fat content and complementary amino acid pattern to that of cereal grains make cowpea an important nutritional food in the human diet.
Are cowpeas nutritious?
Cowpea is considered as a nutrient dense food with low energy density. An average cowpea grain contains 23–32% protein,17 50–60% carbohydrate18, 19 and about 1% fat19 in dry basis.
What are cowpeas used for?
Cowpea is mainly used for human and livestock consumption. When fresh, the young leaves, immature pods and peas are used as vegetables, while snacks and main meal dishes are prepared from the dried grain.
Which beans are the healthiest?
9 Healthy Beans and Legumes You Should Try
- Chickpeas.
- Lentils.
- Peas.
- Kidney beans.
- Black beans.
- Soybeans.
- Pinto beans.
- Navy beans.
Is cow peas good for diabetics?
The cowpeas are abundant in soluble fibre and can be helpful for people suffering from diabetes. It can help you to regulate our blood sugar levels and keep that diabetes at bay. The cowpeas has a low glycemic index and be good for your blood lipid profile.
Do black-eyed peas raise blood sugar?
The soluble fiber in black eyed peas slows digestion, which helps the body regulate blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of blood sugar spikes. This lowered risk makes black eyed peas a healthy food choice for people with diabetes.
What class of food is cowpea?
herbaceous legume
The cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is an annual herbaceous legume (family Fabaceae) grown predominantly in Africa and is an important staple crop providing an affordable source of protein (Muranaka et al., 2016).
Are black-eyed peas inflammatory?
Inflammation is at the root of most diseases, but a healthy diet including one to two servings of black-eyed peas per day can help fight chronic inflammation and prevent so many serious health problems. This anti-inflammatory effect is what provides so many of the following black-eyed pea benefits.
Are cowpeas and black-eyed peas the same thing?
Black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata) are a variety of the cowpea and are part of the family of beans & peas (Leguminosae or Fabaceae in the USA). Although called a pea, it is actually a bean. Both peas and beans are legumes, and both have edible seeds and pods.
Which beans have the most protein?
Beans With the Highest Protein
By far, boiled soybeans, also known as edamame, supply the highest amount of protein among beans. In a 1/2 cup of edamame, you’ll get a whopping 32 percent of the daily value (DV) for protein on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Are black-eyed peas good for your liver?
Selenium is a mineral that is not present in most fruits and vegetables but can be found in black beans. It plays a role in liver enzyme function and helps detoxify some cancer-causing compounds in the body.
Can humans eat cowpeas?
Cowpeas are grown mostly for their edible beans, although the leaves, green seeds and pods can also be consumed, meaning the cowpea can be used as a food source before the dried peas are harvested. Like other legumes, cowpeas are cooked to make them edible, usually by boiling.
Can you eat cow peas raw?
The pods are eaten raw or stir fried, and some may even add it to a soup or eat them steamed. Raw cowpeas are commonly added to papaya salad and make a great vegetable to dip into chili sauce dip.
What is the difference between beans and cowpea?
Moreover, beans have a more solid stem while peas have a hollowed-out stem. Hence, this is another difference between beans and peas. Besides, a further difference between beans and peas is that the beans can be consumed fresh or in their dried form while peas are mostly consumed in their dried form.
What are the best beans for heart?
5 Heart-Healthy Beans and the Best Ways to Eat Them
- Black Beans: A Household Staple Rich in Antioxidants.
- Chickpeas: A Yummy Legume That Will Help Keep Your Blood Sugar Low.
- Navy Beans: A High-Fiber Option That Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease.
- Pinto Beans: Affordable and Easy to Prepare.
- Soybeans: ‘Meat Without Bones’
What bean is good for your heart?
Mild, tender black beans are packed with heart-healthy nutrients. Folate, antioxidants, and magnesium can help lower blood pressure. Their fiber helps control both cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
What is the healthiest rice?
brown rice
Whole grains like brown rice are healthier than processed grains. They contain more fiber, which helps you to feel full faster and keeps your digestive system running well.
Is cowpea high in potassium?
Cowpea is rich in potassium with good amount of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. It also has small amount of iron, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium [78].
Do black-eyed peas give you gas?
Precautions. For some people, black-eyed peas may cause stomach pain, gas, and bloating due to their content of raffinose, a type of fiber that can contribute to digestive issues ( 17 ). Soaking and cooking dried beans can reduce the content of raffinose and make them much easier to digest ( 17 ).