Legumes · Legume
Moth Beans (Matki)
Vigna aconitifolia · also called Matki, mat bean, math, dew bean, Turkish gram
Moth beans (matki) are small seeds of a drought-hardy legume grown mainly in India, eaten cooked, split, roasted, ground into flour or sprouted. They give plant protein, folate, magnesium and iron. We found no trial of moth beans in people; the heart findings come from studies of pulses as a group, and the blood pressure work is in rats and test tubes. The main cautions are to cook the beans, to cook sprouted matki thoroughly because raw sprouts can carry germs, gas in sensitive people, and potassium for people on a kidney diet.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Moth Beans (Matki)
Moth beans (matki) are small seeds of a hardy legume grown in dry parts of India, eaten cooked, split, roasted, ground into flour or sprouted. They are rich in plant protein, folate, magnesium and iron. They are a food, not a proven remedy: we found no trial of moth beans in people, and the heart findings are for pulses as a group.
What it is
Moth beans (Vigna aconitifolia) are an annual, trailing legume of warm, dry regions, mostly in the Indian subcontinent, where Rajasthan grows the most. A 2023 review calls the crop the most drought-hardy and heat-tolerant pulse among the Asian Vigna species. The seeds are eaten whole, split, cooked or roasted, ground into flour, or sprouted and cooked as a breakfast dish.
USDA data for boiled moth beans without salt: 117 kcal per 100 g. One cup (177 g) has about 207 kcal, 13.8 g protein, 253 micrograms folate (DFE), 184 mg magnesium, 5.56 mg iron, 538 mg potassium and 266 mg phosphorus. Dry raw beans are much denser (343 kcal and 22.94 g protein per 100 g), so compare cooked with cooked. USDA lists no fibre value; a review gives a crude fibre range of 3.9 to 4.5%.
What the research shows
We found no trial of moth beans in people. Pooled trials of pulses (beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas) found LDL cholesterol 0.17 mmol/L lower and a very small weight loss of about 0.34 kg over about 6 weeks, but those abstracts do not list moth beans.
The blood pressure work is early. A rat study of an enzyme-digested moth bean protein fraction found lower systolic pressure, and a test-tube study found a moth bean peptide blocked the ACE enzyme. These used processed protein pieces, not cooked beans, and say nothing about eating moth beans. A review says the seeds are used traditionally for fevers, but gives no trial.
Food versus protein pieces and extracts
The cholesterol and weight findings are for pulses eaten as food. The blood pressure findings used enzyme-digested protein fractions and a synthetic peptide, which are not food. Moth bean flour, sprouts and protein products are different products and were not studied for health effects.
Portions
The NHS counts 80 g of pulses and beans as one portion of 5 A DAY, and pulses count only once a day however much you eat. This page gives no amounts to eat. Ask a doctor, pharmacist or dietitian what is right for you, especially if you have a food allergy, kidney disease or take medicine.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Eaten whole, split, cooked, roasted or ground into flour; sprouted and cooked as a popular breakfast dish
- The seeds are used traditionally in South Asia for fevers; long use is not proof that a food treats any condition
Studied for research
- Folate, magnesium and iron, high certainty for the nutrient content, no moth bean trial
- Cholesterol, low certainty (pulses as a group, none on moth beans)
- Body weight, low certainty (very small effect, pulses as a group)
- Blood pressure, very low certainty (rat and test-tube work on bean protein pieces only)
- Traditional use for fevers, insufficient evidence
Main compounds
- Plant protein
- Folate
- Magnesium and manganese
- Iron
- Potassium and phosphorus
- Gas-producing sugars
- Lectins and other antinutrients
Common forms
- Boiled whole or split moth beans (nutrient values read)
- Raw dry moth beans (nutrient values read, not eaten raw)
- Sprouted moth beans (a food-safety risk if raw)
- Flour, roasted beans and protein extracts are different products and are not covered
Research links: 2014 review: pulses and LDL cholesterol · 2023 review: the moth bean crop and its nutrition · 1999 review: infections from raw seed sprouts · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Vigna aconitifolia
- Naming authority
- (Jacq.) Maréchal (as given in the 2023 review)
- Synonyms
- Name: Phaseolus aconitifolius Jacq.; Note: The earlier name; the review says the species was once placed in the genus Phaseolus and later moved to Vigna.
- Common names
- Moth beans (English); Matki (India, as listed in the review); Mat bean (English); Math (as listed in the review); Dew bean (English); Turkish gram (English); Mattenbohne (German); Haricot papillon (French)
- Family or group
- Fabaceae (the legume family), sub-family Papilionoideae, genus Vigna (2023 review).
- Classification
- Plantae > Fabaceae > Vigna > Vigna aconitifolia
- Native range
- The review says the wild ancestor has not been precisely described but is said to have occurred in India; the crop is grown mostly in arid and semi-arid regions of the Indian subcontinent, with Rajasthan the largest producer.
- Habitat
- Warm, dry habitats; the review calls it the most drought-hardy and heat-tolerant pulse among the Asian Vigna species, usually grown on marginal land with a deep taproot and a low mat-like leaf cover.
- What it looks like
- Roots: A deep, fast-penetrating taproot (review).; Stems: An annual herbaceous trailing plant (review).; Leaves: A dense, low-lying leaf cover that resembles a mat (review).; Flowers: Papilionaceous (pea-type) flowers (figure legend in the review).; Fruit: Semi-erect pods with small seeds; the seeds, sprouts and boiled green pods are eaten (review).
- Cultivation
- Grown mainly in rain-fed, dry regions of India (Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and other states); also used as fodder (review).
- Harvest and processing
- Eaten whole, split, cooked, roasted, ground into flour, or sprouted and cooked as a breakfast dish; the review says sprouted and cooked seeds are a popular breakfast dish. Only boiled and raw values were read for nutrition.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Mung beans (Vigna radiata); Note: A related Vigna bean with its own page; mung bean sprouts are the sprouts most often named in outbreak reports.; Name: Black gram (urad dal); Note: Another South Asian Vigna pulse, compared with moth bean flour in a 2026 flour study that we did not open.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not assessed.
Photographs
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| p37346119 |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | protein | Seed USDA: 7.81 g per 100 g boiled; 22.94 g per 100 g raw. Review: 20 to 24% of seed. | Nutrient content only; digestibility was not read. 14 13 4 | Human data |
| Folate | B vitamin | Seed USDA: 143 micrograms DFE per 100 g boiled; 649 micrograms per 100 g raw | Needed to make red blood cells and DNA (MedlinePlus). 14 11 | Human data |
| Magnesium, iron and manganese | minerals | Seed USDA per 100 g boiled: magnesium 104 mg, iron 3.14 mg, manganese 0.527 mg | Nutrient content only; absorption was not read. Phytic acid can interfere with mineral absorption (review). 14 4 | Human data |
| Potassium and phosphorus | minerals | Seed USDA per 100 g boiled: potassium 304 mg, phosphorus 150 mg | Relevant to people on kidney-diet limits (MedlinePlus). 14 10 | Human data |
| Raffinose, stachyose and verbascose | oligosaccharide sugars | Seed Not measured in the sources read | Described in the review as flatulence-producing sugars. 4 | Human data |
| Lectins, trypsin inhibitors, phytic acid and saponins | antinutritional factors | Seed Not measured in the sources read | The review says these affect nutrient absorption and digestion (saponins are described as gastric irritants) and that soaking, sprouting, boiling, pressure cooking and fermentation deactivate them. 4 | Human data |
| Protein-derived peptides (ACE-inhibiting) | peptides | Released only when the protein is digested with enzymes in the lab Not applicable | Blocked ACE in a test tube; a peptide fraction lowered blood pressure in rats. Not shown in people. 1 2 | Laboratory research |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) | ACE (named in the abstract) | A synthetic peptide from enzyme-digested moth bean protein inhibited ACE by 93.4% in a test tube; the rat study links the peptide fraction to lower angiotensin II and less oxidative stress. Laboratory and animal findings only. 1 2 | Laboratory research |
| Cooking and antinutrients | Not applicable | The review says soaking, sprouting, boiling, pressure cooking and fermentation deactivate antinutritional factors and improve digestion of starch and protein. 4 | Human data |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not found for moth beans. The review says phytic acid interferes with mineral absorption.
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Not found.
- Elimination
- Not found.
- Bioavailability
- Not established for moth bean nutrients in the sources read. In simulated digestion, a synthetic moth bean peptide kept about 59% of its ACE-blocking activity (test tube).
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
The cholesterol and weight results are for pulses eaten as food. The blood pressure results are for an enzyme-digested protein fraction and a synthetic peptide, which are not the cooked bean and say nothing about eating moth beans. Moth bean flour, sprouts and protein products are different products and were not studied for health effects.
Nutritional composition
Nutrition from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy, April 2018 release; read 2026-10-26 from the saved copy of the data feed held with the project). Boiled moth beans without salt (FDC 172426), per 100 g: 117 kcal, 7.81 g protein, 0.55 g fat, 20.96 g carbohydrate, about 69 g water, 143 micrograms folate (DFE), 104 mg magnesium, 0.527 mg manganese, 0.164 mg copper, 3.14 mg iron, 150 mg phosphorus, 304 mg potassium, 0.59 mg zinc, 0.124 mg thiamin, 0.093 mg vitamin B6 and 10 mg sodium. One cup (177 g) boiled: about 207 kcal, 13.8 g protein, 253 micrograms folate, 184 mg magnesium, 5.56 mg iron, 538 mg potassium and 266 mg phosphorus (the per-100-g values multiplied by 1.77). Raw dry moth beans (FDC 172425), per 100 g: 343 kcal, 22.94 g protein, 61.52 g carbohydrate, 649 micrograms folate, 381 mg magnesium and 10.85 mg iron; dry beans look much denser than cooked ones because cooked beans hold water, so compare cooked with cooked. USDA lists no fibre value for either item; a 2023 review gives a crude fibre range of 3.9 to 4.5% from research papers. USDA calcium is 150 mg per 100 g dry but 3 mg cooked, which we cannot explain, so treat the calcium figure with caution. Values vary with variety, growing place and cooking.
1 high certainty2 low certainty1 very low certainty1 not enough evidence
What was looked at
The 5 benefits and uses checked for Moth Beans (Matki), each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Folate, magnesium, manganese and iron (nutrient content)High certainty
- Cholesterol (pulses as a group)Low certainty
- Body weight (pulses as a group)Low certainty
- Blood pressure (lab and animal work on bean protein pieces)Very low certainty
- Traditional use for feversNot enough evidence
Lab markers tracked in the studies
LDL cholesterolBody weightSystolic blood pressure (rats)
What is Moth Beans (Matki) good for?
The main studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. We found no trial of moth beans in people, so most results are for pulses as a group or come from lab and animal work.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Folate, magnesium, manganese and iron (nutrient content)
High certaintyBoiled moth beans are a food source of folate, magnesium, manganese, copper and iron by USDA data: per cup (177 g) about 253 micrograms folate, 184 mg magnesium and 5.56 mg iron. This is nutrient content, not a trial of moth beans.
3 studiesBoiled whole moth beans as food (USDA values).
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
USDA lists per 100 g of boiled moth beans without salt: 117 kcal, 7.81 g protein, 143 micrograms folate (DFE), 104 mg magnesium, 0.527 mg manganese, 3.14 mg iron, 150 mg phosphorus and 304 mg potassium. Dry raw beans per 100 g: 22.94 g protein, 649 micrograms folate and 10.85 mg iron. MedlinePlus lists dried beans among folate foods.
Results
The nutrient content is firm USDA data. No trial was read showing that eating moth beans corrects low folate, iron or magnesium.
Effect sizes as reported
Per cup (177 g) boiled: about 207 kcal, 13.8 g protein, 253 micrograms folate, 184 mg magnesium, 5.56 mg iron.
Why this rating
High for the nutrient content (USDA database values). No trial of moth beans for any deficiency was read, so this says nothing about treating low levels.
Form and dose studied
Boiled whole moth beans as food (USDA values).
Who was studied
General adult diet.
Limits
Values vary with variety, growing place and cooking. USDA lists no fibre value, so no fibre figure is given. USDA calcium differs sharply between dry (150 mg) and cooked (3 mg) beans and we cannot explain that from the data.
Why researchers looked
People eat moth beans for plant protein, folate, magnesium and iron.
Traditional use
Moth beans are eaten whole, split, cooked, roasted, ground into flour, or sprouted and cooked, mainly in South Asia. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.
Proposed mechanism Authoritative guidance
Folate works with vitamin B12 to form red blood cells and is needed to make DNA (MedlinePlus).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Raw or undercooked beans and raw sprouts carry food-safety risks; see the Safety tab.
Cholesterol (pulses as a group)
Low certaintyPooled trials of diets rich in pulses found LDL cholesterol 0.17 mmol/L lower. These trials mix beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas. No trial that lists moth beans was found.
1 studiesDiets emphasising pulses as food (median 130 g a day in the trials, n…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2014 meta-analysis of 26 randomised trials (1,037 adults, at least 3 weeks) found diets emphasising pulses at a median of 130 g a day lowered LDL cholesterol by 0.17 mmol/L (95% CI -0.25 to -0.09) compared with diets without pulses. No effect was seen on apolipoprotein B or non-HDL cholesterol.
Results
A small average fall in LDL for pulses as a group. Which pulses the trials used is not in the abstract; moth beans were not named.
Effect sizes as reported
LDL mean difference -0.17 mmol/L (95% CI -0.25 to -0.09).
Why this rating
Low: the best human evidence is a pooled analysis of short trials of mixed pulses; nothing was read on moth beans themselves, and the authors call for longer, higher-quality trials.
Form and dose studied
Diets emphasising pulses as food (median 130 g a day in the trials, not advice).
Who was studied
Adults in 26 randomised trials.
Limits
Pulses as a group, not moth beans. Short trials. LDL is a blood marker, not a heart outcome.
Why researchers looked
Pulses are fibre and protein foods, so researchers test whether eating them changes blood fats.
Traditional use
Moth beans are eaten whole, split, cooked, roasted, ground into flour, or sprouted and cooked, mainly in South Asia. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.
Proposed mechanism Unknown
Not tested for moth beans. Pulses are a source of fibre and plant protein.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None specific beyond the cautions on the Safety tab.
Body weight (pulses as a group)
Low certaintyPooled trials found diets with pulses led to a very small extra weight loss, about 0.34 kg over roughly 6 weeks. Not tested with moth beans.
1 studiesDiets containing pulses as food (not advice).
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2016 meta-analysis of 21 randomised trials (940 adults) found diets containing pulses (median 132 g a day) gave 0.34 kg more weight loss (95% CI -0.63 to -0.04) than diets without, over a median of 6 weeks. Six trials suggested body fat percentage may fall.
Results
A very small average difference, seen for mixed pulses only.
Effect sizes as reported
Weight -0.34 kg (95% CI -0.63 to -0.04), median 6 weeks.
Why this rating
Low: a very small effect in short trials of mixed pulses; no moth bean trial; long-term effects unknown.
Form and dose studied
Diets containing pulses as food (not advice).
Who was studied
Adults in 21 randomised trials.
Limits
Pulses as a group, short trials.
Why researchers looked
Pulses are filling foods, so researchers test whether they help weight control.
Traditional use
Moth beans are eaten whole, split, cooked, roasted, ground into flour, or sprouted and cooked, mainly in South Asia. Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition.
Proposed mechanism Unknown
Not tested for moth beans.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None specific.
Blood pressure (lab and animal work on bean protein pieces)
Very low certaintyA rat study of an enzyme-digested moth bean protein fraction lowered systolic blood pressure, and a lab study found a moth bean peptide blocked the ACE enzyme in a test tube. Neither used cooked beans or people.
2 studiesEnzyme-digested protein fraction and a synthetic peptide (not the foo…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human study was found. A 2025 study in rats with induced high blood pressure found an Alcalase-digested moth bean peptide fraction lowered systolic pressure dose-dependently, from 75 mg per kg of body weight a day. A 2023 lab study found a synthetic octapeptide (FPPPKVIQ) inhibited ACE by 93.4% and kept about 59% of its activity after simulated digestion.
Results
Animal and test-tube results only. They say nothing about eating moth beans.
Effect sizes as reported
Rat: dose-dependent fall in systolic pressure. Lab: ACE inhibition 93.4%, IC50 0.24 micromolar.
Why this rating
Very low: one rat study and one test-tube study of processed protein pieces; nothing in people.
Form and dose studied
Enzyme-digested protein fraction and a synthetic peptide (not the food).
Who was studied
Rats; no people.
Limits
Not cooked beans, not people. A peptide that works in a test tube may not act the same way after eating.
Why researchers looked
Scientists look for protein pieces in foods that block ACE, an enzyme involved in blood pressure.
Traditional use
Moth beans are eaten as food; these studies used processed protein fractions, which are not food.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
The peptide fraction acted as an ACE inhibitor in rats, lowering angiotensin II and oxidative stress; a synthetic octapeptide blocked ACE in a test tube.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
If you take blood pressure medicine, do not change it because of this research; ask your clinician.
Traditional use for fevers
Not enough evidenceA 2023 review says the seeds are used traditionally to treat fevers and lists other properties, but gives no human trial. Evidence is insufficient.
1 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
The 2023 review lists antihypertensive, antioxidant, anti-cancer, antibacterial, diuretic and cholesterol-lowering activities as reported in other papers, and says focused research is needed. No human trial of moth beans for fever or any other condition was found.
Results
Traditional use and indirect data only.
Why this rating
Insufficient: a traditional-use statement in a review, with no trial.
Limits
Traditional use is not evidence that a food treats a condition.
Why researchers looked
Moth beans have traditional uses in South Asia beyond food.
Traditional use
The review says the seeds are used traditionally to treat fevers.
Proposed mechanism Unknown
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
A fever that lasts, or in a baby or older adult, needs medical care.
Connections to the rest of health
How Moth Beans (Matki) connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nutrient Support | High certainty | Folate, magnesium, manganese and iron (nutrient content): Boiled moth beans are a food source of folate, magnesium, manganese, copper and iron by USDA data: per cup (177 g) about 253 micrograms folate, 184 mg magnesium and 5.56 mg iron. This is nutrient content, not a trial of moth beans. | 14 13 11 | |
| Heart Health | Low certainty | Cholesterol (pulses as a group): Pooled trials of diets rich in pulses found LDL cholesterol 0.17 mmol/L lower. These trials mix beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas. No trial that lists moth beans was found. | 3 | |
| Healthy Weight | Low certainty | Body weight (pulses as a group): Pooled trials found diets with pulses led to a very small extra weight loss, about 0.34 kg over roughly 6 weeks. Not tested with moth beans. | 5 | |
| Heart Health | Very low certainty | Blood pressure (lab and animal work on bean protein pieces): A rat study of an enzyme-digested moth bean protein fraction lowered systolic blood pressure, and a lab study found a moth bean peptide blocked the ACE enzyme in a test tube. Neither used cooked beans or people. | 2 1 | |
| Traditional Use | Not enough evidence | Traditional use for fevers: A 2023 review says the seeds are used traditionally to treat fevers and lists other properties, but gives no human trial. Evidence is insufficient. | 4 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metabolism Weight | Biological association | High certainty | Studied for: Folate, magnesium, manganese and iron (nutrient content) Studied for: Body weight (pulses as a group) | 14 13 11 5 |
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Cholesterol (pulses as a group) Studied for: Blood pressure (lab and animal work on bean protein pieces) | 3 2 1 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Traditional use for fevers | 4 |
C. Body parts and organs
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food poisoning | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | Raw seed sprouts have been linked to Salmonella and E. coli outbreaks; moth bean sprouts are not named in the review. Preparation or compound: Raw moth bean sprouts |
6 |
| Kidney disease | Documented risk | People on restricted kidney diets should ask their team. Boiled moth beans contain potassium and phosphorus; people on restricted diets should ask their kidney team. Preparation or compound: Potassium and phosphorus in boiled moth beans |
10 14 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDL cholesterol | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 3 |
| Body weight | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 5 |
| Systolic blood pressure (rats) | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 2 1 |
J. Genes, receptors and enzymes
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folate | Preliminary mechanism | Human | Moth beans are a food source of folate. | 14 11 |
| Magnesium | Preliminary mechanism | Human | Moth beans are a food source of magnesium. | 14 |
| Iron | Preliminary mechanism | Human | Moth beans are a food source of iron. | 14 |
| Potassium | Preliminary mechanism | Human | Relevant to kidney diets. | 10 14 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | Biological association | Human | Nutrient content only; digestibility was not read. Preparation or compound: Seed |
14 13 4 |
| Folate | Biological association | Human | Needed to make red blood cells and DNA (MedlinePlus). Preparation or compound: Seed |
14 11 |
| Magnesium, iron and manganese | Biological association | Human | Nutrient content only; absorption was not read. Phytic acid can interfere with mineral absorption (review). Preparation or compound: Seed |
14 4 |
| Potassium and phosphorus | Biological association | Human | Relevant to people on kidney-diet limits (MedlinePlus). Preparation or compound: Seed |
14 10 |
| Raffinose, stachyose and verbascose | Biological association | Human | Described in the review as flatulence-producing sugars. Preparation or compound: Seed |
4 |
| Lectins, trypsin inhibitors, phytic acid and saponins | Biological association | Human | The review says these affect nutrient absorption and digestion (saponins are described as gastric irritants) and that soaking, sprouting, boiling, pressure cooking and fermentation deactivate them. Preparation or compound: Seed |
4 |
| Protein-derived peptides (ACE-inhibiting) | Biological association | In vitro | Blocked ACE in a test tube; a peptide fraction lowered blood pressure in rats. Not shown in people. Preparation or compound: Released only when the protein is digested with enzymes in the lab |
1 2 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 26, 2026).
The evidence
The research centre for Moth Beans (Matki). Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing moth beans page and summary, re-checked nutrition against saved USDA FoodData Central values, re-read the 2023 moth bean review in full text, re-read the PubMed abstracts for the pooled trials and the rat and lab studies, and read the FDA, NHS, MedlinePlus and CDC journal pages. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps.
Study library: every study we checked 14
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goyal 2023 Release of an encrypted, highly potent ACE-inhibitory peptide by enzymatic hydrolysis of moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) protein. Front Nutr · PMID 37360301 · DOI |
Laboratory research in-vitro |
Laboratory study of moth bean protein digested with enzymes (no people or animals) | Moth bean protein digested with Alcalase, papain or trypsin; a synthetic octapeptide FPPPKVIQ Seed protein, enzyme-digested · vs Other digests and peptides |
The Alcalase digest gave the highest ACE inhibition (about 59%). A synthetic octapeptide gave 93.4% inhibition (IC50 0.24 micromolar) and kept about 59% of its activity after simulated digestion. ACE inhibition 93.4% (peptide); IC50 0.24 micromolar (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibition in a test tube; stability in simulated digestion Limitations: Test-tube and computer work only. Not tested in people or animals. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no commercial conflicts. Read: abstract |
| Goyal 2025 Cardio-renal protection and mechanisms of the antihypertensive activity of Alcalase-derived moth bean hydrolysate in DOCA-salt induced hypertensive Wistar rats. Sci Rep · PMID 41162551 · DOI |
Animal research animal |
DOCA-salt hypertensive Wistar rats (animal study; numbers not given in the abstract) | AF4, a small-peptide fraction (under 1 kDa) of Alcalase-digested moth bean protein Seed protein, enzyme-digested Minimum effective 75 mg per kg body weight per day in rats (animal detail, not advice) · vs Untreated hypertensive rats |
The peptide fraction lowered systolic blood pressure in rats in a dose-dependent way and improved heart and kidney markers. The authors link it to ACE inhibition, lower angiotensin II and less oxidative stress. Dose-dependent fall in systolic pressure (size not in abstract) (Not stated in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Systolic blood pressure, heart and kidney markers, oxidative stress Limitations: Rats, not people. A processed protein fraction, not cooked moth beans. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Ha 2014 Effect of dietary pulse intake on established therapeutic lipid targets for cardiovascular risk reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. CMAJ · PMID 24710915 · DOI |
Systematic review meta analysis |
1037 1,037 adults in 26 randomised trials |
Diets emphasising pulses (beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas) as food Pulses as food Median 130 g a day (trial detail, not advice) At least 3 weeks · vs Isocaloric diets without pulses |
Diets emphasising pulses lowered LDL cholesterol. Effects on apolipoprotein B and non-HDL cholesterol were not seen. The authors say longer and higher-quality trials are needed. LDL mean difference -0.17 mmol/L (95% CI -0.25 to -0.09 mmol/L) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, non-HDL cholesterol Limitations: Pulses as a group; the abstract does not list moth beans. Trials were short. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Registration: NCT01594567 Read: abstract |
| Kanishka RC (C KR) 2023 Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia): a minor legume with major potential to address global agricultural challenges. Front Plant Sci · PMID 37346119 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Review of the moth bean crop, its nutrition, uses and breeding (full text read via Europe PMC, PMC10279967) | Moth bean seeds as food and fodder Seed |
Describes moth bean as an orphan legume of arid and semi-arid Asia, valued for protein, minerals and vitamins. The full text lists lectins (phyto-haemagglutinins), trypsin inhibitors, phytic acid and saponins, and gas-producing sugars (raffinose, stachyose, verbascose). It says soaking, sprouting, boiling, pressure cooking and fermentation deactivate the antinutritional factors. It reports crude fibre of 3.9 to 4.5% and says the seeds are used traditionally to treat fevers. The abstract and text give no human trial of health effects. Not applicable (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Crop description, nutrient ranges, antinutrients, traditional uses Limitations: A crop and nutrition review, not a health trial. Traditional-use statements are not evidence of benefit. Funding and conflicts: The funding statement names a UN Environment GEF agricultural biodiversity project; the authors declare no commercial conflicts. Read: abstract |
| Kim 2016 Effects of dietary pulse consumption on body weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr · PMID 27030531 · DOI |
Systematic review meta analysis |
940 940 participants in 21 randomised trials |
Diets containing pulses (beans, lentils, chickpeas, dry peas) as food Pulses as food Median 132 g a day (trial detail, not advice) Median 6 weeks · vs Diets without pulses |
Pulse diets gave a small extra weight loss, seen in weight-loss diets and in weight-maintaining diets. Six trials suggested body fat percentage may fall. Weight -0.34 kg (95% CI -0.63 to -0.04 kg; P = 0.03) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Body weight, waist circumference, body fat Limitations: Pulses as a group; moth beans not listed in the abstract. Short trials; the authors say long-term effects are unknown. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Registration: NCT01594567 Read: abstract |
| Taormina 1999 Infections associated with eating seed sprouts: an international concern. Emerg Infect Dis · PMID 10511518 |
Narrative review |
Review of outbreaks linked to raw seed sprouts (full text read on the CDC journal site) | Raw seed sprouts (mung bean and alfalfa most often named) Sprouts |
Recent outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 have been linked to raw seed sprouts in several countries. The sprouting process is a strong bacterial amplification step, and treating seeds and sprouts with chlorinated water or other disinfectants fails to eliminate the germs. People at high risk (the elderly, children, and people with weak immune systems) are advised not to eat raw sprouts. Not applicable (Not applicable) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Outbreaks, bacterial growth during sprouting, prevention Limitations: From 1999. Moth bean sprouts are not named; mung bean and alfalfa sprouts are the commonly named types. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| s-fda-natural-toxins U.S. FDA: Natural Toxins in Food · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-healthcanada-lectins Health Canada: Lectins in legumes · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: summary-only | ||
| s-medlineplus-foodallergy MedlinePlus: Food allergy · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-medlineplus-potassium MedlinePlus: Potassium in diet · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-medlineplus-vitamins MedlinePlus: Vitamins · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-nhs-5aday NHS: 5 A DAY - what counts? · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-usda-fdc-172425 USDA FoodData Central: Mothbeans, mature seeds, raw (FDC 172425) · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-usda-fdc-172426 USDA FoodData Central: Mothbeans, mature seeds, cooked, boiled, without salt (FDC 172426) · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text |
What we do not know yet
- No trial of moth beans in people was found for cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, gut health or fever.
- The pooled cholesterol and weight analyses mix pulses; a moth-bean-only result is not in the abstracts read.
- The blood pressure work is one rat study and one test-tube study of processed protein pieces.
- No source on moth bean allergy, an official cooking time, FODMAP rating, oxalate, heavy metals or pesticides was read; USDA lists no fibre value.
- The Health Canada lectin page could not be re-opened for this page and is taken from earlier notes.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue before the page changes.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Metabolic 2
LDL cholesterol
Lowered in trials
The 'bad' cholesterol carried in the blood. Higher levels are linked to more heart disease.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
It is the usual blood marker used in diet trials for heart risk.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A small average fall in short trials of mixed pulses. Not shown for moth beans.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | LDL mean difference -0.17 mmol/L (95% CI -0.25 to -0.09); no effect on apoB or non-HDL | 1,037 adults in 26 trials | Diets emphasising pulses, median 130 g/day, at least 3 weeks |
Body weight
Lowered in trials
How much a person weighs, in kilograms.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
The usual outcome in diet trials on weight control.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Very small average difference for mixed pulses.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Weight -0.34 kg (95% CI -0.63 to -0.04) | 940 adults in 21 trials | Diets with pulses, median 132 g/day, median 6 weeks |
Other 1
Systolic blood pressure (rats)
Lowered in trials
The upper number in a blood pressure reading.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
The main outcome of the rat study.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Animal study of a processed fraction; no human data.
Safety implication
None established.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Dose-dependent fall in systolic pressure with a moth bean peptide fraction | Hypertensive rats | Alcalase-digested peptide fraction, minimum effective 75 mg/kg/day |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 5
- Cook moth beans, and be careful with raw sprouts. Raw sprouts carry a food-poisoning risk. A CDC journal review says sprouting is a strong bacterial amplification step, chlorinated water and other disinfectants fail to eliminate the germs, and the elderly, children and people with weak immune systems should not eat raw sprouts. That review names mung bean and alfalfa sprouts, not moth bean sprouts, but the same logic applies to sprouted matki. Cook sprouted matki thoroughly. Authoritative guidance 6
- Raw or undercooked beans (lectins and other antinutrients). A 2023 review lists lectins, trypsin inhibitors, phytic acid and saponins in moth beans and says soaking, sprouting, boiling, pressure cooking and fermentation deactivate them. The FDA says a lectin (PHA) in raw or undercooked beans can cause nausea, severe vomiting and diarrhea; its soaking and boiling steps are written for beans in general and kidney beans. No moth bean poisoning report was found and no official cooking time for moth beans was read, so we do not extend those steps to them. Authoritative guidance 4 7 8
- Gas and bloating. Moth beans contain raffinose, stachyose and verbascose, sugars that gut bacteria ferment and that cause gas. The review says soaking, sprouting and cooking help. Authoritative guidance 4
- Allergy. No source on moth bean allergy was read. Moth beans are a legume, and legume allergy exists; ask an allergist if you react to peanuts or other legumes. For trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat after any food, call emergency services. Authoritative guidance 9
- Kidney disease: potassium and phosphorus. Boiled moth beans contain 304 mg of potassium and 150 mg of phosphorus per 100 g (about 538 mg and 266 mg per cup) by USDA data. MedlinePlus says people with kidney problems, particularly on dialysis, should not eat too many potassium-rich foods and names beans as a good source. Ask your kidney team. Authoritative guidance 14 10
Side effects 3
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food poisoning from raw sprouts (Salmonella, E. coli) The review names mung bean and alfalfa sprouts; moth bean sprouts are not named. | Not given for moth bean sprouts; outbreaks linked to raw seed sprouts occurred in several countries. | can be severe in the elderly, children and people with weak immune systems Not stated | Observational 6 |
| Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea from raw or undercooked beans (lectin) The FDA text is about beans and kidney beans, not moth beans. | The FDA calls this poisoning rare; no moth bean case was found. | can be unpleasant; severe vomiting described Not stated | Authoritative guidance 7 8 |
| Gas and bloating Based on the gas-producing sugars the review lists. | Not measured for moth beans. | mild to moderate Settles; soaking and cooking help (review) | Authoritative guidance 4 |
Liver
No liver injury from eating moth beans was found in the sources read. A liver-safety source (such as LiverTox) was not searched for this food.
How often. No frequency was found.
Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was found.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Moth Beans (Matki) supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 2
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium limits and kidney medicines prescription | Beans contain potassium; people on a potassium limit may need to count them. | No source tied moth beans to a specific interaction. This is a general caution from MedlinePlus about potassium-rich foods in kidney disease. | Authoritative guidance Not enough evidence 10 14 | Ask your kidney team or dietitian how moth beans fit your limits. |
| Medicines for blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol prescription | Pooled pulse trials show small changes in cholesterol; a big diet change could in theory add to a medicine's effect. | No source tied moth beans to a medicine interaction. A general caution, not a documented interaction. | Theoretical Not enough evidence 3 | Ask your clinician or pharmacist before making big diet changes if you take these medicines. Do not use moth bean protein powders or extracts to replace blood pressure medicine. |
Who should check first 3
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Known or suspected legume allergy (including peanut allergy) | Ask an allergist before eating moth beans. For trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat, call emergency services. | Authoritative guidance 9 |
| Older adults, young children, pregnancy and weak immune systems: raw sprouts | The CDC journal review advises that people at high risk of severe infection should not eat raw sprouts. Cook sprouted matki thoroughly. | Authoritative guidance 6 |
| Kidney disease, especially on dialysis | Ask your kidney team or dietitian about potassium and phosphorus. | Authoritative guidance 10 14 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No toxicity from properly cooked moth beans as ordinary food was found in the sources read. Raw seeds contain lectins and other antinutrients that cooking reduces.
Animal. The rat study used a processed peptide fraction, not beans; its abstract reports no harm but is not a safety study.
Human doses studied. No human study of moth beans was found.
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not researched.
Toxic or hazardous parts. Raw or undercooked seeds (lectins, trypsin inhibitors, saponins); raw sprouts (bacteria).
Raw sprouts can carry Salmonella and E. coli. Mould and mycotoxins, pesticide residues, heavy metals and moth-bean-specific recalls were not researched.
Bacteria on raw sprouts. A CDC journal review says pathogens can exceed 10 million per gram of sprouts during production without changing how they look, and that chlorinated water and other disinfectants fail to eliminate them. 6
Cooking dry beans. The FDA says soaking at least 5 hours then boiling in fresh water for at least 30 minutes removes and destroys the bean lectin PHA; Health Canada's steps are for dry red kidney beans. Neither names moth beans. 7 8
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Food and Drug Administration (United States) | Natural Toxins in Food: lectin (PHA) in raw or undercooked beans can cause nausea, severe vomiting and diarrhea; soak at least 5 hours and boil in fresh water at least 30 minutes. source | 2024-09-26 |
When to get medical help
- Trouble breathing, swelling of the lips, face or throat, widespread hives, repeated vomiting or collapse after eating (possible anaphylaxis): call emergency services
- Severe vomiting or diarrhoea after eating undercooked beans or raw sprouts, especially in a child, an older adult or someone with a weak immune system: seek medical advice
- Blood in the stool, high fever or signs of dehydration after eating sprouts: seek medical advice
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are moth beans?
Moth beans, also called matki, are small seeds of Vigna aconitifolia, a drought-hardy legume grown mainly in India. They are eaten whole, split, cooked, roasted, ground into flour or sprouted.
What are moth beans good for?
Do moth beans lower cholesterol?
Not shown for moth beans. Pooled trials of pulses as a group found LDL cholesterol 0.17 mmol/L lower, but the abstract does not list moth beans.
Do moth beans lower blood pressure?
Do moth beans help with weight loss?
Pooled trials of pulses found a very small extra weight loss (0.34 kg over about 6 weeks). Moth beans were not tested alone.
Are moth beans safe to eat raw?
Are sprouted moth beans (matki) safe?
Cook them thoroughly. A CDC journal review says raw seed sprouts have been linked to Salmonella and E. coli outbreaks, that disinfectants fail to eliminate the germs, and that the elderly, children and people with weak immune systems should not eat raw sprouts. It names mung bean and alfalfa sprouts, not moth bean sprouts.
Why do moth beans cause gas?
They contain raffinose, stachyose and verbascose, sugars that gut bacteria ferment. A review says soaking, sprouting and cooking help. A dietitian can help you find your own limits.
Can you be allergic to moth beans?
No source on moth bean allergy was read, but legume allergy exists. Ask an allergist, especially if you react to peanuts or other legumes. For trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat, call emergency services.
Are moth beans OK with kidney disease?
Why does USDA show no fibre for moth beans?
Explore by health goal
Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the sources listed.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-26
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-26
- How we research
- We started from our existing moth beans page and summary, re-checked nutrition against saved USDA FoodData Central values, re-read the 2023 moth bean review in full text, re-read the PubMed abstracts for the pooled trials and the rat and lab studies, and read the FDA, NHS, MedlinePlus and CDC journal pages. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.
Sources 14
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Goyal N, Hajare SN, Gautam S.. Release of an encrypted, highly potent ACE-inhibitory peptide by enzymatic hydrolysis of moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) protein.. Front Nutr. 2023. PMID 37360301. DOI 10.3389/fnut.2023.1167259. (abstract)
- Goyal N, Rathee JS, Hajare SN, Gautam S.. Cardio-renal protection and mechanisms of the antihypertensive activity of Alcalase-derived moth bean hydrolysate in DOCA-salt induced hypertensive Wistar rats.. Sci Rep. 2025. PMID 41162551. DOI 10.1038/s41598-025-21739-3. (abstract)
- Ha V, Sievenpiper JL, de Souza RJ, et al.. Effect of dietary pulse intake on established therapeutic lipid targets for cardiovascular risk reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. CMAJ. 2014. PMID 24710915. DOI 10.1503/cmaj.131727. (abstract)
- Kanishka RC (C KR), Gayacharan, T B, et al.. Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia): a minor legume with major potential to address global agricultural challenges.. Front Plant Sci. 2023. PMID 37346119. DOI 10.3389/fpls.2023.1179547. (abstract)
- Kim SJ, de Souza RJ, Choo VL, et al.. Effects of dietary pulse consumption on body weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016. PMID 27030531. DOI 10.3945/ajcn.115.124677. (abstract)
- Taormina PJ, Beuchat LR, Slutsker L.. Infections associated with eating seed sprouts: an international concern.. Emerg Infect Dis. 1999. PMID 10511518. (abstract)
- . U.S. FDA: Natural Toxins in Food. . . (full-text)
- . Health Canada: Lectins in legumes. . . (summary-only)
- . MedlinePlus: Food allergy. . . (full-text)
- . MedlinePlus: Potassium in diet. . . (full-text)
- . MedlinePlus: Vitamins. . . (full-text)
- . NHS: 5 A DAY - what counts?. . . (full-text)
- . USDA FoodData Central: Mothbeans, mature seeds, raw (FDC 172425). . . (full-text)
- . USDA FoodData Central: Mothbeans, mature seeds, cooked, boiled, without salt (FDC 172426). . . (full-text)
Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- A recent packed-on date: very old dried beans cook unevenly
- Organic or not, and the country of origin
- Whether you want dried or canned
- Soak and cook thoroughly; some raw beans are unsafe
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
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