What Are Cowpeas?
Cowpeas are a type of bean, not a pea, despite their name. These oval-shaped peas with a black eye spot are also known as Lobia, black-eyed peas or southern peas. These are highly nutritious and add a rich fleshy taste and texture to your meals, and come in a variety of colors such as creamy white, red, black, brown, and others. These can be commonly grown and found in dry, arid regions of Asia and Africa due to their high tolerance of heat, drought, and loose sandy soil.
Cowpeas, like other beans and legumes, are abundant in nutrients and contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals. They are not only healthy for your hair and skin health, but they also help you feel full and content with a nutritious meal every time!
Lobia, which comes in both dry and fresh forms, is used in a variety of soup and salad dishes, as well as dal and vegetable preparations, to boost their nutritional content.
We’ve summarized all you need to know about cowpeas, their nutritional profile, advantages, and risk factors in the sections below!
Nutritional Profile for Cowpeas
Black-eyed peas are nutrient-dense, with a high fiber and protein content in each serving. They’re also a good source of folate, copper, thiamine, and iron, among other micronutrients. The following nutrients are found in one cup (170 grams) of cooked black-eyed peas:
- 194 calories
- 13 grams of protein
- 0.9 grams of fat
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- 11 grams of fiber
- 88% of the daily folate requirement
- Copper: 50% of the daily value
- 28 percent of the daily value for thiamine
- Iron: 23% of the daily value
- Phosphorus: 21% of the daily value
- Magnesium: 21% of the daily value
- Zinc: 20% of the daily value
- Potassium: 10% of the daily value
- Vitamin B6 provides 10% of the Daily Value (DV).
- Selenium: 8% of the Daily Value
- Riboflavin: 7% of the daily value
17 Amazing Benefits of Cowpeas
Here are some amazing benefits of cowpeas and why they should be included in your diet:
Boosts the Immune System
Lobia contains significant levels of vitamin A, Vitamin C, and other vital elements that can help to enhance your immune system. It can protect you from a variety of infection-causing germs if you eat them regularly. Eating Lobia is an efficient approach to protect your body from a variety of ailments.
Fights Anti-Semitism and Radicalization
Cowpeas contain a lot of antioxidants in the form of vitamins C and A. The inclusion of these beans in one’s daily diet just implies that they will aid in the removal of free radicals from the body, which would otherwise harm skin cells. This also aids in the prevention of malignant cells.
Blood Sugar Levels are Regulated
Cowpea’s soluble fiber makes it ideal for absorbing excess sugar in the blood, making it an excellent choice for diabetic people. Lobia has a low Glycemic index, which helps to control blood sugar levels. To get the best effects, make sure you eat a tiny quantity every day.
Lowers Bad Cholesterol Levels
Cowpea’s soluble fiber and protein content make it an excellent approach to reduce bad cholesterol, or LDL, in the body. They include phytosterols, which aid to maintain a healthy cholesterol level. This maintains the heart in good shape.
Improves Heart Health
Cowpeas contain secondary metabolites known as flavonoids, which are beneficial to heart health. This aids in the treatment and prevention of all cardiovascular diseases. You can avoid the dangers of heart disease if your cholesterol levels are low and your blood pressure is under control.
Better Digestive Health
Cowpeas’ digestive characteristics are one of its finest health advantages. Cowpeas contain 28 percent dietary fiber per 100 grams, ensuring constipation-free digestion. Including them in your diet in appropriate quantities will assist to bulk up your stools and speed up your digestion.
Weight-Loss Support
When it comes to cowpea, the dietary fiber aids in the removal of toxins, accumulated fat, and cellulite from the body. Aside from that, the beans have extremely little calories. They are also free of harmful cholesterol, which adds weight to the body. The most effective technique to lose weight is to use Lobia.
Helps Treat Anemia
Cowpeas are high in iron, which can assist people with chronic anemia overcome iron deficiency. Iron deficiency can disrupt the body’s blood flow, depriving vital organs of oxygen. To deal with this loss and boost your hemoglobin levels in the body, you should eat a bit of Lobia every day.
Induces Sleep
Magnesium and Tryptophan, a substance recognized for its nerve-relaxing qualities, are abundant in cowpeas. Early dinner with a large piece of Lobia can help to relax your tensions and encourage better sleep. For people who suffer from chronic insomnia, this is one of the finest Lobia health advantages.
Prevents Aging Symptoms
Cowpea is an excellent diet for individuals who wish to delay the effects of aging, due to its high antioxidant content and fiber content, which aids in flushing out free radicals that cause skin damage. These antioxidants also help to repair existing damaged skin cells, resulting in skin that is firm, elastic, and young. The skin is smooth and devoid of wrinkles and fine lines, which are unsightly indications of aging.
Skin is Nourished
Cowpea has a high protein content that is ideal for skin health. It’s also high in antioxidants, which help to heal your skin from the inside out and keep it free of harm. Lobia can assist to give your skin a natural shine by cleaning the stomach with its dietary fiber.
Fights Hair Loss
Cowpeas provide a good source of proteins, which are the building blocks of hair strands, when consumed on a regular basis. This simply implies that you can have problem-free hair strands and so keep hair loss under control. It will also strengthen the strands and promote hair growth.
Treats Stomach Disorders
Cowpeas can help with any stomach issues, as well as pancreatic and spleen issues. The goal is to tone and stimulate the organs’ activities in such a way that all issues are treated and prevented in the future. As an added bonus, it also soothes irritated bowel motions.
Acts as a Detoxifier
Cowpeas have natural detoxifying capabilities, which is another key advantage of consuming them. Cowpeas are high in dietary fibre, which can help to cleanse your gut and remove excess bulk. It can even help you remove toxins from your body and keep your system clean.
Prevents Cancer
Cowpeas are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is a natural anti-oxidant that aids in cancer prevention. Vitamin C is known to counteract free radicals, which cause oxidative stress in the body. You can reduce your chances of contracting several lethal cancers by reducing the rate of these free radicals.
Healthier and Lustrous Hair
Lobia is a protein-rich legume that may add volume to your hair while also strengthening the roots. Lobia, being a rich source of vitamins and minerals, aids in the healing of damaged hair and the reduction of breakages. It also has a high iron content, which helps to prevent hair loss and thinning.
Good for Pregnant Women
During pregnancy, the key nutrients iron, protein, and folate have dramatically increased needs. Lobia is a crucial part of a pregnant woman’s diet since it is abundant in these nutrients.
Side Effects of Cowpeas
While cowpeas are usually considered safe to eat, excessive intake can cause a variety of issues. Here are some of the side effects:
- Indigestion
- Vomiting
- Belching
- Flatulence
- Stools with a foul odor
- Constipation
- Sleepiness
- Bodily Weakness
Now that you Know…
Cowpeas’ health advantages are due to their helpful nutrients. Cowpeas help control cholesterol levels, stimulate the immune system, regulate blood sugar levels, and cure cardiovascular illnesses when eaten on a regular basis. They can even aid with stomach and pancreatic issues, as well as disorders of the urinary tract and intestines. These peas also help to reduce the indications of age on the skin. Cowpeas have a lot of health benefits, so include them in your diet.