Mung bean sprouts contain 5.9 grams of total carbs per 100g. With 1.8 grams of fiber, the same serving only contains 3 grams of net carbs ( *). This makes bean sprouts ideal for all low-carb diets. Apart from carbs, bean sprouts contain mostly water, therefore, they are also low-calorie.
With 25.2g of carbs and a Glycemic Load of 6.3 in a portion of 60g, Mung beans should be avoided for a ketogenic diet due to the high percentage of carbs. Mung beans contain low amounts of Fructose, are Gluten free and have no Lactose.
These beans have a slightly sweet taste and are sold fresh, as sprouts or as dried beans. They aren’t as popular in the US but can be purchased from most health food stores. Mung beans are incredibly versatile and typically eaten in salads, soups and stir-frys.
Interestingly, research shows that mung beans may have properties that can lower LDL cholesterol. For instance, animal studies have shown that mung bean antioxidants can lower blood LDL cholesterol and protect the LDL particles from interacting with unstable free radicals ( 10, 11 ).