Horse Gram (Kulthi): Nutrients, What Research Shows and Safety
Horse gram (kulthi) as a food: published composition (USDA has none), natural compounds cooking reduces, and why kidney-stone and diabetes claims are unproven.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Horse gram, also called kulthi or hulga, is the small, flat, brown to reddish seed of Macrotyloma uniflorum (family Fabaceae, the legume family). It is a dry-land crop of India and nearby countries, eaten as a whole or split pulse, as sprouts, ground into flour or cooked into soups and curries, and also fed to animals. [1] [2] It is also used in traditional medicine, which is why many web pages promise cures. This page separates the food from those claims and says what the sources do and do not show.
Read this first
- There is no USDA entry for horse gram. The numbers on this page come from a 2026 review and a reference work, and the two do not fully agree. [1] [2] We give no per-serving values for that reason.
- Cook it thoroughly. The sources list lectins, trypsin inhibitors (compounds that block digestive enzymes), phytates, tannins and oxalic acid in the seed. [1] [2] Cooking, soaking, sprouting and fermenting reduce several of these. [1] [4] We found no agency (FDA, Health Canada) with a cooking time for horse gram, so we give none.
- Do not copy kidney-bean times. The FDA (soak at least 5 hours, boil at least 30 minutes) and Health Canada (at least 10 minutes of vigorous boiling) wrote those for red kidney beans. [6] [8] We found no source saying they suit horse gram.
- Kidney stones: do not treat on your own. Horse gram has been used traditionally for kidney stones, but the evidence we read is from test tubes and rats, and the review says few human studies exist. [1] [3] People with a history of calcium oxalate stones are told to ask a doctor or kidney dietitian about oxalates in beans. [9]
- Allergy: bean allergy is possible. For trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat call 911 (or your local emergency number). [11]
What is in it (published values, not USDA)
USDA FoodData Central has no horse gram item, so no USDA table or household portion is possible. The table shows raw, dry seed per 100 g as given in two sources: Table 2 of a 2026 open-access review (it cites six earlier papers together and does not say which value comes from which) [1] and PROTA, a reference work on tropical plants. [2] The review has internal inconsistencies, shown below.
| Nutrient (dry seed, per 100 g) | Review (Halder 2026) [1] | PROTA [2] | % Daily Value per 100 g (our calculation from the review value) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 329 kcal | 333 kcal | not set |
| Protein | 21.73 g | 22.5 g | 43% |
| Total fat | 0.62 g | 1.0 g | 1% |
| Carbohydrate | 57.24 g | 60.5 g | 21% |
| Fiber | 7.88 g (table) | 4.7 g | 28% |
| Calcium | 269 mg | not given | 21% |
| Iron | 12.14 mg | not given | 67% |
| Water | 9.28 g | 9.7 g | not set |
The review's text elsewhere reports 28.8% dietary fiber, 11.55% moisture and 15 to 22% protein, which differ from its own table; the conclusion even says 25 to 30% protein. [1] So treat these as approximate and expect variety and growing place to matter. % Daily Value uses the FDA 2016 Daily Values and is our calculation. Dry seed is not the same as a cooked portion: cooked beans hold much more water. We did not find values for cooked or sprouted horse gram in a source we could read.
Plant compounds: the sources describe phenolics, flavonoids and tannins in the seed (the review gives tannins 7.9 mg per g in unprocessed flour), phytic acid (0.96 mg per g in one paper and 10.2 mg per g in another, and the review does not reconcile them), oligosaccharides (sugars that cause gas) and trypsin inhibitors. [1] [5] These are measurements of the food or lab effects, not shown human benefits.
What research says
| Health goal | What the sources found | Strength of evidence | What was studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kidney stones | The review says horse gram is used traditionally for stones and that the evidence comes from lab assays and rats given a stone-causing chemical. [1] PROTA reports an anti-stone effect in a laboratory test. [2] A 2015 review also lists kidney stones as a traditional use. [3] | Lab or animal only; proper human evidence not found in the sources we read | Seed extracts in test tubes and rats |
| Blood sugar | The review describes enzyme-blocking in test tubes and effects in rats made diabetic with a chemical; it says only a limited number of human population studies exist and calls for trials. [1] | Lab or animal only | Extracts in vitro and in rats |
| Liver and stomach ulcer protection | PROTA reports that seeds protected rat livers and that seed fat protected against ulcers in rats. [2] | Lab or animal only | Rats |
| Antioxidant and other effects | A 2024 systematic review abstract links horse gram phenolics to antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and other activities and notes a shortage of mechanistic studies. [5] | Lab or animal only as far as we could read | Extracts and compounds |
| Cutting down natural "anti-nutrients" | Germination for 72 hours lowered phytic acid by 61.6%, tannins by 54.6%, oxalates by 61.6% and trypsin inhibitor by 26.79%; 48 hours of fermentation lowered phytic acid by 69.5%; pressure cooking lowered trypsin inhibitor by about 79 to 82%. [1] Another study of 12 lines found dehulling and germination lowered phytic acid, tannin and oxalic acid. [4] | Established in the lab as a food-processing effect | Flour and seeds; not people |
| LDL cholesterol | A 2026 pooled analysis of 38 randomized trials of whole pulses (median about 130 g a day, median 6 weeks, 2,095 people) found LDL fell by about 0.14 mmol/L; results were similar across pulse types. [12] No horse gram trial is in it as far as we read. | Supported for pulses as a group; insufficient for horse gram | Whole pulses of many kinds |
Eaten as food vs taken as extract. The pulse trials above fed ordinary pulses. The kidney, sugar and liver findings come from extracts and animals, which cannot tell us what a bowl of cooked horse gram does. The review states it received no financial support. [1] The other abstracts do not state funders.
How much is a normal serving
We did not find an official portion for horse gram. The pooled LDL analysis used a median of about 130 g of pulses a day across many pulse types. [12] That describes the trials, not a target for you. This is information, not advice.
Safety, allergy and medicines
- Raw or undercooked seed: the sources list lectins and trypsin inhibitors in the seed, and PROTA notes that seed fed to horses and cattle is usually boiled first. [2] The FDA describes nausea, severe vomiting and diarrhea from the lectin in raw or undercooked red kidney beans. [6] Harvard says raw legumes contain some of the highest lectin levels, boiling or stewing inactivates most of them, and simmering at low heat, as in a slow cooker, will not remove all of them. [7] So avoid slow-cooker-only cooking. We read no report of people being poisoned by horse gram.
- Oxalic acid and kidney stones: the sources name oxalic acid among the antinutrients. [2] The National Kidney Foundation says many beans are high in oxalates and that people with a history of calcium oxalate stones should ask whether to limit them. [9] We did not read an oxalate value for horse gram, and we did not find human evidence that it prevents stones.
- Gas and digestion: NIDDK lists beans and other legumes among foods whose carbohydrates can cause extra gas. [10]
- Kidney disease: the National Kidney Foundation says the potassium and phosphorus in beans are absorbed less well than from animal foods or additives, and most people with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis do not need to limit beans for those minerals; dialysis patients should plan with a kidney dietitian. [9]
- Allergy: MedlinePlus lists peanut and soy among the major food allergens and describes hives, swelling, wheezing and anaphylaxis, a medical emergency (call 911). [11] We found no source on horse gram allergy. Peanut is a legume (see peanuts).
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children: we found no official guidance on horse gram. See what official bodies advise in pregnancy.
- Medicines: we found no source we could read on a direct interaction with a medicine. If you take medicine for diabetes, kidney stones or kidney disease, do not use horse gram as a replacement. See foods and medicine interactions.
Choosing, storing and food safety
- Cook dry horse gram fully; do not rely on a slow cooker alone. [7]
- Sprouts: PROTA says sprouted seeds are widely eaten in India. [2] We did not read a source on the safety of raw sprouts of this bean, so we give no advice on eating them raw.
- We read no official source on storing dried horse gram. For leftovers, see food storage, leftovers and food safety basics.
Related pages
Health connections for Horse Gram (Kulthi)
What research links to eating or drinking this food, and how strong the evidence is. Many studies are observational or use juice, powder, oil or extracts rather than the food as eaten; each card says which.
Kidney stones: traditional use, lab and rat findings only
Lab or animal research onlyHorse gram has been used traditionally for kidney stones; the review says the evidence is from lab assays and rats given a stone-causing chemical, and PROTA reports an anti-stone effect in a laboratory test. Proper human evidence was not found in the sources we read.
Supplements: Seed extracts were tested in test tubes and rats, not people.
Blood sugar: lab and rat findings only
Lab or animal research onlyThe review describes enzyme-blocking in test tubes and effects in rats made diabetic with a chemical, and says only a limited number of human population studies exist.
Supplements: No human trial of extracts or supplements was read.
Protein, calcium and iron in dry horse gram
Established roleA 2026 review gives 21.73 g of protein, 269 mg of calcium and 12.14 mg of iron per 100 g of dry seed; PROTA gives 22.5 g of protein. The review has internal inconsistencies, so the values are approximate. USDA has no horse gram item.
Supplements: Applies to the whole seed, not to supplements.
Cooking, sprouting and fermenting lower natural antinutrients
Lab or animal research onlyGermination, fermentation, dehulling and pressure cooking lowered phytic acid, tannins, oxalates and trypsin inhibitor in lab studies of flour and seeds.
Supplements: Not applicable.
Pulses and LDL cholesterol (shown for pulses as a group)
Not enough evidencePooled trials of whole pulses found LDL fell by about 0.14 mmol/L. No horse gram trial was found.
Supplements: Applies to whole pulses as food only.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Body systems (3)
- Digestive SystemDocumented risk
Raw seed contains lectins and trypsin inhibitors that cooking reduces; beans can also cause extra gas.
- Gut HealthDocumented risk
Raw seed contains lectins and trypsin inhibitors that cooking reduces; beans can also cause extra gas.
- Kidney & UrinaryDocumented risk
Potassium and phosphorus in beans are absorbed less well than from animal foods; most people with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis do not need to limit beans, and dialysis patients should plan with a kidney dietitian. People with a history of calcium oxalate stones are told to ask about oxalates in beans.
Body parts (2)
- GutDocumented risk
Raw seed contains lectins and trypsin inhibitors that cooking reduces; beans can also cause extra gas.
- KidneysDocumented risk
Potassium and phosphorus in beans are absorbed less well than from animal foods; most people with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis do not need to limit beans, and dialysis patients should plan with a kidney dietitian.
Habits (1)
- Balanced NutritionEstablished role
Dry horse gram is a protein-rich pulse per the review and PROTA (about 22 g per 100 g dry seed).
Conditions & symptoms (2)
- Chronic Kidney InsufficiencyDocumented risk
Potassium and phosphorus in beans are absorbed less well than from animal foods; most people with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis do not need to limit beans, and dialysis patients should plan with a kidney dietitian.
- FlatulenceDocumented risk
Beans and other legumes can cause extra gas because bacteria in the large intestine break down their carbohydrates.
Documented risks and interactions (4)
- Raw seed compounds: lectins, trypsin inhibitors, phytate, tannins, oxalic acid. Reviews list lectins, trypsin inhibitors, phytates, tannins and oxalic acid in the seed; cooking, soaking, germination and fermentation lower several of them (for example germination for 72 hours lowered phytic acid by 61.6% and trypsin inhibitor by 26.79%; pressure cooking lowered trypsin inhibitor by about 79 to 82%).
- Gas and bloating from beans. Beans and other legumes can cause extra gas because bacteria in the large intestine break down their carbohydrates.
- Beans in kidney disease and kidney stones. Potassium and phosphorus in beans are absorbed less well than from animal foods; most people with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis do not need to limit beans, and dialysis patients should plan with a kidney dietitian. Many beans are high in oxalates (NKF); oxalic acid is named among horse gram's antinutrients, but we read no amount.
- Legume allergy (no data specific to this bean). MedlinePlus lists peanut and soy among the major food allergens and gives the emergency steps. We found no source on horse gram allergy.
Frequently asked questions
Does horse gram dissolve kidney stones?
No human evidence was found in the sources we read. The reviews describe traditional use and lab or rat findings. [1] [3] Talk to a doctor about stones.
Does horse gram help with diabetes or weight loss?
The sources describe test-tube and rat findings and say few human studies exist. [1] Pooled trials of pulses as a group show small changes in blood sugar and cholesterol, but they did not test horse gram. [12] [13]
How should I cook horse gram?
The sources give no official time. They say soaking, sprouting, fermenting and pressure cooking reduce natural compounds, and Harvard says low-heat slow cooking does not remove all lectins. [1] [7]
Is horse gram raw safe to eat as sprouts?
We did not read a source on raw horse gram sprouts, so we cannot say. PROTA says sprouted seeds are widely eaten in India. [2]
Is horse gram high in protein?
The review gives 21.73 g per 100 g of dry seed and PROTA gives 22.5 g, which are close. [1] [2]
References
- Halder A, Das U, Gada Chengaiyan J, Front Plant Sci. Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) as a climate-resilient legume with functional and nutraceutical potential. 2026. Open-access review; first 100,000 characters of the text read; no funding declared. Read 2026-10-24.
- PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa). Macrotyloma uniflorum). Web record. Read 2026-10-24.
- Prasad SK, Singh MK, J Food Sci Technol. Horse gram, an underutilized nutraceutical pulse crop: a review. 2015 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.
- Pal RS et al., J Food Sci Technol. Impact of dehulling and germination on nutrients, antinutrients, and antioxidant properties in horsegram. 2016 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.
- Oli P, Joshi K, Punetha S, J Food Sci. Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and nutraceutical potential of horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum): a systematic review. 2024 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.
- FDA. Natural Toxins in Food. Content current as of 26 Sept 2024. Read 2026-10-24.
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, The Nutrition Source. Lectins. Last reviewed January 2022. Read 2026-10-24.
- Health Canada. Lectins in Dry Legumes. Page details dated 2017-05-04. Read 2026-10-24.
- National Kidney Foundation. Beans. Last updated 2 Jan 2023. Read 2026-10-24.
- NIDDK. Gas in the digestive tract: eating, diet and nutrition. Read 2026-10-24.
- MedlinePlus. Food allergy. Updated 19 Nov 2025. Read 2026-10-24.
- Back S et al., J Am Heart Assoc. Effect of different types of whole dietary pulses on established therapeutic lipid targets: updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. 2026 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.
- Sievenpiper JL et al., Diabetologia. Effect of non-oil-seed pulses on glycaemic control: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled experimental trials. 2009 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.