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Cowpeas, catjang, mature seeds, raw

Legumes Per 100 g · Per 100g serving

Cowpeas, catjang, mature seeds, raw is a legume, containing 343 calories per 100g. It is an excellent source of Folate, Iron and Copper, providing 160%, 124% and 118% of the Daily Value respectively. This legume is high in protein, rich in dietary fiber. Legumes are among the most nutrient-dense plant foods, providing protein, fiber, folate, iron, and potassium. They are a staple protein source in many traditional diets worldwide. Our database tracks 63 nutrients for this food, plus insulin index, environmental footprint data.

343
Calories
kcal
23.9
Protein
g
2.1
Fat
g
59.6
Carbs
g
10.7
Fiber
g

Top Nutrients

☀️
Folate
639 µg
160% DV
💎
Iron
9.9 mg
124% DV
💎
Copper
1.1 mg
118% DV

Data for 63 of 150 tracked nutrients

Nutrient Fingerprint

How this food scores across key nutrient categories, as a percentage of the daily recommended value per 100 g. Based on USDA DRIs for adults.

Complete Nutrient Profile

Macronutrients 8
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Water SR11.1g
0%
Calories SR343kcal
Energy (kJ) SR1,435kj
Protein SR23.9g
43%
Total Fat SR2.1g
Carbohydrate SR59.6g
46%
Fiber SR10.7g
28%
Ash SR3.4g
Minerals 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Calcium SR85.0mg
8%
Iron SR9.9mg
124%
Magnesium SR333mg
83%
Phosphorus SR438mg
63%
Potassium SR1,375mg
40%
Sodium SR58.0mg
4%
Zinc SR6.1mg
56%
Copper SR1.1mg
118%
Manganese SR1.5mg
67%
Selenium SR9.1µg
16%
Vitamins 16
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Vitamin A (RAE) SR33.0µg
4%
Vitamin A (IU) SR2.0IU
Retinol SR0µg
Vitamin C SR1.5mg
2%
Vitamin D SR0µg
Vitamin D (IU) SR0IU
Thiamin (B1) SR0.68mg
57%
Riboflavin (B2) SR0.17mg
13%
Niacin (B3) SR2.8mg
18%
Pantothenic Acid (B5) SR1.5mg
30%
Vitamin B6 SR0.36mg
28%
Folate SR639µg
160%
Folic Acid SR0µg
Folate (food) SR639µg
Folate (DFE) SR639µg
Vitamin B12 SR0µg
Fatty Acids 5
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Saturated Fat SR0.54g
Monounsaturated Fat SR0.17g
Polyunsaturated Fat SR0.89g
Trans Fat SR0g
Cholesterol SR0mg
Individual Fatty Acids 6
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Lauric Acid (12:0) SR0.001g
Myristic Acid (14:0) SR0.004g
Palmitic Acid (16:0) SR0.42g
Stearic Acid (18:0) SR0.09g
Linoleic Acid (18:2) SR0.56g
3%
Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR0.33g
Amino Acids 18
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Tryptophan SR0.29g
Threonine SR0.91g
Isoleucine SR0.97g
Leucine SR1.8g
Lysine SR1.6g
Methionine SR0.34g
Cystine SR0.26g
Phenylalanine SR1.4g
Tyrosine SR0.77g
Valine SR1.1g
Arginine SR1.7g
Histidine SR0.74g
Alanine SR1.1g
Aspartic Acid SR2.9g
Glutamic Acid SR4.5g
Glycine SR0.98g
Proline SR1.1g
Serine SR1.2g

Nutrient Density Score

The NRF9.3 score measures overall nutritional quality per 100 kcal. It rewards 9 nutrients to encourage (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium) and penalizes 3 to limit (saturated fat, added sugars, sodium). Higher is better; negative scores indicate the food is high in limit nutrients relative to its beneficial content.

75
NRF9.3 Score
Good · per 100 kcal
Poor (<0) Moderate Good Excellent (100+)

NRF9.3 index: Fulgoni et al. (2009), J Nutr 139(8). DVs based on FDA 2020 reference values.

Nutrient Interactions in This Food

Nutrients in this food that enhance or compete with each other during absorption.

✔ Synergies — nutrients that help each other

Vitamin B6 + Magnesium●●

Vitamin B6 may enhance intracellular magnesium accumulation. Combined supplementation has shown greater benefits for stress and anxiety than magnesium alone.

Pouteau et al., PLoS One, 2018

Protein + Calcium●●

Moderate protein intake enhances calcium absorption and supports bone health. The acid-ash hypothesis suggesting protein harms bones has been largely disproven.

Kerstetter et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2005

Vitamin B6 + Folate●●

Vitamin B6 is a cofactor in folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism. Together with B12, these three nutrients regulate homocysteine levels.

Selhub, J Nutr Health Aging, 2002

⚠ Antagonisms — nutrients that compete

Calcium vs Iron●●●

Calcium inhibits both heme and non-heme iron absorption when consumed in the same meal. The effect is dose-dependent, with significant inhibition at 300+ mg calcium.

Hallberg et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1991

Zinc vs Copper●●●

High zinc intake induces metallothionein in enterocytes, which traps copper and blocks its absorption. Prolonged high-dose zinc can cause copper deficiency.

Prasad et al., JAMA, 1978; Fosmire, Am J Clin Nutr, 1990

Zinc vs Iron●●

Zinc and non-heme iron compete for the same intestinal transporter (DMT1). High doses of one can reduce absorption of the other when taken simultaneously.

Rossander-Hulten et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1991

Calcium vs Magnesium●●

Very high calcium intake can reduce magnesium absorption by competing for shared intestinal transport pathways. A calcium:magnesium ratio above 2.6:1 may impair magnesium status.

Rosanoff et al., Nutr Rev, 2012

Fiber vs Iron●●

Phytates in high-fibre foods (whole grains, legumes) bind non-heme iron and reduce its bioavailability. Soaking, sprouting, and fermentation reduce phytate content.

Hurrell & Egli, Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2010

Amino Acid Profile

Essential amino acid composition compared to the WHO/FAO adult reference pattern. The Amino Acid Score indicates protein quality — 100 means all essential amino acid requirements are met.

115
Amino Acid Score
Complete
Met + Cys
Lowest Scoring
18
Amino Acids Tracked

✓ Complete protein — all essential amino acids meet or exceed WHO reference levels.

All Amino Acids (18)
Amino Acidg / 100gmg / g protein
Tryptophan0.2912.3
Threonine0.9138.1
Isoleucine0.9740.6
Leucine1.876.6
Lysine1.667.7
Methionine0.3414.3
Cystine0.2611.0
Phenylalanine1.458.4
Tyrosine0.7732.3
Valine1.147.7
Arginine1.769.3
Histidine0.7431.0
Alanine1.145.6
Aspartic Acid2.9120.8
Glutamic Acid4.5189.4
Glycine0.9841.3
Proline1.144.9
Serine1.250.1

Fatty Acid Profile

Breakdown of fat types per 100g. A healthy fat profile favours unsaturated fats (mono + poly) and a balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.

0.54g
Saturated
0.17g
Monounsaturated
0.89g
Polyunsaturated
Omega Fatty Acids
Linoleic acid (18:2 n-6)0.56 g

How Cooking Changes Nutrients

Estimated percentage of each nutrient retained after cooking, based on USDA retention factors for the “Other Vegetables” food category. Values of 100% mean no loss; lower values indicate nutrients lost to heat, water, or oxidation.

Key insights
Folate loses up to 31% when boiled (drained). Boiled (water used) retains 85%.

Source: USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6 (2007). Retention values are category-level averages — actual retention depends on cooking time, temperature, and water volume.

USDA Retention Factors

Insulin Response

The Insulin Index (II) measures the actual insulin response to food on a scale where white bread = 100. Unlike the Glycemic Index (which only measures blood sugar), the II captures the full hormonal response — including the effect of protein and fat on insulin secretion. This is why high-protein foods like meat and dairy can have significant insulin scores despite having low or zero GI values.

59
Insulin Index
Moderate Insulin Response
Insulin Index Scale 59
0 Low ≤30 Mod ≤60 High ≤100 120
Macro Model ●● Estimated from macronutrient composition (R²=0.49)

Source: Holt et al. 1997; Bao et al. 2016; Bell 2014

Environmental Impact

Environmental footprint per kilogram of food produced. Data represents the global average for the “Other Pulses” category.

1.8
kg CO₂e / kg
Low Impact
15.6
m² land / kg
Land Use
734
L water / kg
Water Use
9.8
g SO₂e / kg
Acidification
How this compares (GHG emissions)
Potatoes (0.5)Chicken (9.9)Beef (99.5)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions1.8 kg CO₂e / kg
Land Use15.6 m² / kg
Water Use734 L / kg
Eutrophication18.1 g PO₄e / kg
Acidification9.8 g SO₂e / kg
⚠️ Important context about this data
  • Global averages: These figures are production-weighted averages from a meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms across 119 countries (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). Actual impact varies enormously by farming method, geography, and supply chain.
  • System boundary: Cradle-to-retail only — does not include consumer transport, home cooking energy, or food waste.
  • Soil carbon not included: This data does not account for soil carbon sequestration. Some argue that well-managed regenerative grazing partially offsets ruminant emissions; however, full lifecycle accounting — including methane, land-use change, and the opportunity cost of using land for grazing vs. reforestation — typically makes the net footprint of ruminant meat higher, not lower. This is especially relevant in temperate grassland regions like Ireland.
  • Not gospel: This data is informational and illustrative. It is useful for understanding relative magnitudes, but should not be treated as precise measurements for any individual product or farm.

Source: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science 360(6392). Meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms, 119 countries, 46 product categories.

Global Supply: Pulses

Top 10 countries by per capita supply of the “Pulses” food group (kcal/capita/day, 2023). This is food group–level data from FAO Food Balance Sheets, not specific to this individual food.

1.
Niger
450
2.
Burkina Faso
290
3.
Rwanda
273
4.
Ethiopia
199
5.
Norway
195
6.
Mali
181
7.
Kenya
175
8.
El Salvador
172
9.
Djibouti
169
10.
Kazakhstan
167

Global Supply Trend (1961–2023)

+2%
1961: 58 kcal2023: 59 kcal

Source: FAO Food Balance Sheets (2023). Supply = production + imports − exports − waste, converted to kcal/capita/day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in Cowpeas, catjang, mature seeds, raw?

Cowpeas, catjang, mature seeds, raw contains 343 kcal per 100 grams, making it a calorie-dense food. The energy comes from 23.9g of protein (28% of calories), 2.1g of fat (5%), and 59.6g of carbohydrates (70%). Carbohydrates are the primary energy source.

What is Cowpeas, catjang, mature seeds, raw most nutritious for?

The standout nutrient in Cowpeas, catjang, mature seeds, raw is Folate, providing 639 µg per 100g (160% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Iron (124% DV). Our database tracks 63 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Is Cowpeas, catjang, mature seeds, raw high in protein?

With 23.9g per 100 grams, Cowpeas, catjang, mature seeds, raw is a high-protein food. Protein accounts for 28% of its total calories, making it suitable for diets focused on protein intake.

How much fiber is in Cowpeas, catjang, mature seeds, raw?

Yes, Cowpeas, catjang, mature seeds, raw is rich in dietary fiber with 10.7g per 100 grams. The daily recommended intake is 25-38g, so a serving contributes meaningfully toward that goal. Dietary fiber supports digestive health and is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

What is the insulin index of Cowpeas, catjang, mature seeds, raw?

Cowpeas, catjang, mature seeds, raw has a moderate insulin response (II: 59) (estimated from macronutrient composition) on the insulin index scale (white bread = 100). This is a typical insulin response for most mixed foods. Note that the insulin index can differ substantially from the glycemic index — dairy products and high-protein foods often have higher insulin responses than their GI would suggest.