Beans, mung, mature seeds, sprouted, canned, drained solids
Whole food · Vegetables and Vegetable Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Mung bean sprouts, canned and drained, are crisp, pale, and mildly earthy with a refreshing crunch that holds up in stir-fries and salads. At just 12 kcal per 100g, they are exceptionally low in calories while offering a modest 1.4g protein boost and 0.8g of fiber. Their neutral flavor and satisfying texture make them a lightweight, nutrient-dense addition to countless dishes.
Calorie split: 38% protein · 58% carbs · 4% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love mung bean sprouts for their satisfying crunch and ability to absorb flavors in stir-fries, soups, and salads. They are a staple in Asian cuisines, adding freshness and texture to everything from Vietnamese pho to Korean bibimbap.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Canned sprouts may contain added sodium (check labels) and can have a softer texture than fresh. Those with digestive sensitivities may experience bloating from the fiber; start with small portions and pair with protein or fat to slow digestion.
Key benefits
- Extremely low calorie density (12 kcal/100g) supports weight management
- Good source of plant-based protein relative to calorie content
- Provides dietary fiber (0.8g/100g) for digestive health
- Contains vitamin C and folate (naturally present in sprouts)
- Low in fat (0.06g/100g), suitable for low-fat diets
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Mung bean sprouts are one of the fastest-growing edible sprouts, often ready to harvest in just 3-5 days, and their vitamin C content can increase up to 10-fold during sprouting.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 96.1 g |
| Energy | 12.0 kcal |
| Energy | 48.0 kj |
| Protein | 1.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.06 g |
| Ash | 0.30 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 2.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.80 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.70 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 14.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.43 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 9.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 32.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 27.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 42.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.28 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.16 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.07 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.30 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.07 mg |
| Niacin | 0.22 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.14 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 10.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 10.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 10.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 7.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 2.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 2.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 8.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.04 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 13.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.02 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.02 g |
| Threonine | 0.04 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.07 g |
| Leucine | 0.09 g |
| Lysine | 0.09 g |
| Methionine | 0.02 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.06 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.03 g |
| Valine | 0.07 g |
| Arginine | 0.10 g |
| Histidine | 0.04 g |
| Alanine | 0.05 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.24 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.08 g |
| Glycine | 0.03 g |
| Serine | 0.02 g |
FAQ
Are canned mung bean sprouts as nutritious as fresh?
Canned sprouts retain most nutrients but may lose some vitamin C and have added sodium. Rinse well to reduce sodium content.
Can I eat canned mung bean sprouts straight from the can?
Yes, they are pre-cooked and safe to eat, but rinsing improves texture and reduces any canned taste.
How should I store leftover canned mung bean sprouts?
Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Do not freeze.
Are mung bean sprouts safe for people with diabetes?
Yes, they are low in carbs (2.14g/100g) and sugar (0.7g/100g), making them a good choice for blood sugar management.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.12 kcal/g · 47% calories from protein · 0.8 g fiber · 0.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.56 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.