Health Benefits of Mung Bean Sprouts

You might be most familiar with mung bean sprouts as the main ingredient in chop suey, but they also make up staples in Indian, African and South American cuisines. A cup of sprouts contains just 31 calories, which makes them a welcome addition to calorie-controlled and health-conscious diets. Adding mung bean sprouts to your diet helps fuel your lifestyle and supports tissue health, as a result of their nutrient content.

Basic Nutrition Information

Mung bean sprouts contain beneficial carbohydrates and protein, which supports a healthy lifestyle. Each serving of sprouts contains 6.2 grams of total carbohydrates, including 1.9 grams of fiber, which offers digestive health benefits and keeps you regular. A cup of mung bean sprouts also boasts 3.2 grams of protein -- a nutrient essential for immune system health and tissue maintenance -- and contains less than a quarter of a gram of fat.

Vitamins C and K

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Mung bean sprouts offer health benefits by boosting your vitamin intake. Their vitamin C content strengthens several tissues -- including your cartilage and skin -- and fights cellular aging by acting as an antioxidant. Vitamin K supports healthy blood clotting and nourishes your bone tissue. Each 1-cup serving of mung bean sprouts provides 13.7 milligrams of vitamin C and 34.3 micrograms of vitamin K. This makes up 15 percent of the daily recommended vitamin C intake for men and 18 percent for women, as well as 38 percent and 27 percent of the recommended daily vitamin K intakes for women and men, respectively.

Manganese and Copper

The minerals found in mung bean sprouts also benefit your health. Your body uses copper to support your immune system, as well as to maintain brain function and aid in iron absorption. Manganese supports reproductive health by helping you make sex hormones, and it also strengthens your body's connective tissues. Each 1-cup serving of mung bean sprouts boasts a manganese content of 0.2 milligrams of manganese, which makes up 11 percent of the recommended daily manganese intake for women and 9 percent for men. Each serving of sprouts also contains 171 micrograms of copper and provides 19 percent of the recommended daily intake.

Serving Tips and Considerations

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Make sure you cook sprouts thoroughly before consumption. Because the sprouts grow in warm, moist conditions, they have a high risk of bacterial contamination, which can cause food poisoning, explains the Michigan State University Extension. Incorporate cooked mung bean sprouts into your diet by using them as a base for stir-fries -- because they're so low in calories, you can consume a large portion without exceeding your daily calorie intake. Alternatively, juice cooked mung bean sprouts, along with other fruits and vegetables, for nutrient-packed custom juice blends. The sprouts' mild flavor pairs well with kale and apple juices for a refreshing beverage.