6 Major Side Effects of Eating Too Many Mung Bean Sprouts
Mung bean sprouts are the sprouts of mung beans and are known for their amazing benefits. They are a popular snack in India, and many East Asian nations, and are now gaining popularity all around the world. Mung bean sprouts are loaded with essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and dietary fibers. They provide many health and beauty benefits and are a healthier alternative to processed food/snacks such as bread, biscuits, chips, and fries, etc. However, there are also some side effects of eating too much mung bean sprout.
Side Effects of Eating Too Much Mung Bean Sprouts
Following are the major side effects of eating too much mung bean sprouts.
(1) Eating Mung Bean sprouts During Pregnancy And Nursing
Bean sprouts are loaded with essential nutrients like vitamin B, vitamin C, iron, potassium, and folate to name a few. These nutrients play an important role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Despite the rich nutritional profile of mung bean sprouts, avoid them during pregnancy and nursing periods as they are at a higher risk of bacterial growth ( when not cleaned and sprouted properly). It may develop bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli, and may cause diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramping, fever, etc in pregnant women and nursing mothers.
However, both pregnant women and nursing women can eat a moderate amount of thoroughly cooked mung bean sprouts. First, consult with your doctor to ensure there’s no complication involved, and there’s no risk of food-drug intolerance. Follow your doctor’s advice for consumption and serving size, and don’t go overboard.
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(2) May Contain Harmful Bacteria
Uncleaned mung beans and mung beans that are not sprouted properly are at a higher risk of bacterial growth.
Warm and humid conditions involved in the sprouting of mung beans provide a perfect atmosphere for the growth of harmful bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. These bacteria increase the risk of food poisoning and may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
To avoid this risk, clean and sprout mung beans properly.
If your immune weak system is weak, try thoroughly cooked mung bean sprouts.
Avoid mung bean sprouts if you are allergic to them.
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(3) May Cause Allergic Reactions
Despite the amazing benefits of mung bean sprouts, they are not suitable for all.
Avoid mung bean sprouts if you are allergic to them as they may cause allergic reactions such as itching, hives, eczema, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you experience any such allergic reaction ( or other symptoms) after eating mung bean sprouts, discontinue the use and consult a doctor immediately.
If you are allergic to soy, you are more likely to be allergic to mung beans due to cross-reactivity.
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(4) Too Many Dietary Fibers Is Bad For Stomach
Dietary fiber in mung bean sprouts is a natural laxative that improves bowel movement and relieves constipation, and other gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc.
Consuming mung bean sprouts in moderation is good as otherwise, too much dietary fiber may over-activate the bowel movement and cause diarrhea. It may also cause malabsorption, intestinal gas, and intestinal bloating, etc.
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(5) Mung Bean Sprouts And Diabetes
Mung bean sprouts help in managing diabetes as it has a low glycemic index of 25 and slows down sugar release into the bloodstream. It prevents sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.
Dietary fibers reduce sugar absorption by the bloodstream and regulate blood sugar levels.
However, if you are on diabetic medication, consult with your doctor before adding mung bean sprouts to your diet to ensure there’s no food-drug intolerance.
Eat mung bean sprouts moderately as otherwise, they may drop blood sugar below the recommended range, and cause symptoms such as excessive sweating, excessive hunger, fainting, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and palpitation, etc.
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(6) Mung Bean Sprouts And High Blood Pressure
Hypertension affects millions around the world and causes cardiovascular and other health problems.
Potassium in mung bean sprouts relaxes blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure.
Mung bean sprouts may interfere with the blood pressure medication.
If you are already taking blood pressure medication, consult with your doctor before adding mung bean sprouts to your diet to avoid food-drug intolerance.
Don’t overeat mung bean sprouts as high potassium levels may drop blood pressure below the normal level, and give rise to symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, nausea, fatigue, lack of concentration, etc.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about the topic and is not be taken as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice, treatment, and/or diagnosis. Always consult with your doctor before trying out any of the remedies/recipes suggested in the blog post.
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