What nutrients do kidney beans contain? An analysis of their nutritional value and protein content

The kidney bean is a common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), a legume native to Central America and Mexico. The common bean is an important food crop and a major source of protein worldwide. Used in various traditional dishes, kidney beans are usually cooked thoroughly.

Raw or improperly cooked kidney beans are toxic (1), but carefully prepared beans can be a healthy part of a balanced diet. They come in various colors and patterns; white, cream, black, red, purple, spotted, striped and mottled.

Nutritional content: Kidney beans consist mainly of carbohydrates and fiber, but are also a good source of protein.

Nutritional content: Kidney beans, cooked, boiled -  100 g amount
127 calories
Water 67%
Protein 8.7 g
Carbohydrates 22.8 g
Sugar 0.3 g
Fiber 6.4 g
Fat 0.5 g
Saturated 0.07 g
Monounsaturated 0.04 g
Polyunsaturated 0.28 g
Omega-3 0.17 g
Omega-6 0.11 g
Trans fat ~ Protein in kidney beans, kidney beans are rich in protein.

One cup of boiled kidney beans (177 g) contains about 15 g of protein, accounting for 27% of total calorie content. Although the nutritional quality of bean protein is lower than that of animal protein, beans are an affordable alternative for many people in developing countries. In fact, beans are one of the richest plant sources of protein, and are sometimes called “the poor man's meat”. The most widely studied protein in kidney beans is phaseolin, which may cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals (4,5). Kidney beans also contain proteins such as lectins and protease inhibitors.

Bottom line: Kidney beans are one of the richest plant sources of protein.