There are many varieties of beans. Among them, the most popular in the market are the striped beans, the red-striped beans, and the elephant ear beans. But the traditional and various types of beans that were once popular in our Tamil Nadu have disappeared over time. For example, the thampattai beans, the chicken beans, the mukuthi beans, the sweet beans, the catavara beans, the cattail beans, the siimai beans, the goat horn beans, and many more.
In that regard, there is only one winged bean. But, it is widely cultivated in foreign countries under the name of winged beans. Currently, this winged bean is coming back into circulation. Let’s find out about the nutrients in winged beans. Winged beans contain all the nutrients required by the body in the right amount. It contains vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. Winged beans are a vegetable that contains twenty percent more protein than other leafy vegetables. The leaves and flowers contain 15% protein. The seeds contain 35% protein and 18% fat.
Winged beans are rich in folic acid, which is essential for pregnant mothers. Therefore, they are an ideal vegetable for pregnant women. Winged beans also help prevent brain and spinal cord defects in the fetus and promote healthy development.
For those who are protein deficient, wing beans are a great gift. Wing beans are rich in protein. The iron content in them helps in the formation of red blood cells. All parts of wing beans are edible. You can make tamarind, sambar, fried rice, pickles, etc. from them. Soak the ripe seeds like a dal and make it into a soup or a stew. The leaves can be cooked like spinach.
The flowers can be eaten as a salad. The tubers that grow on its roots can also be boiled and eaten. It is a nutritious food. Since it is rich in fiber, it is a medicine for diabetics and constipation. It also helps in removing the accumulated fat from the body. This prevents blockages in the heart vessels and helps the heart function smoothly.