Cowpea: an overview on its nutritional facts and health benefits

摘要: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a legume consumed as high-quality plant protein source in many parts of the world. High and carbohydrate contents with relatively low fat content complementary amino acid pattern to that cereal grains make cowpea an important nutritional food human diet. has gained more attention recently from consumers researchers worldwide result its exerted health beneficial properties, including anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory anti-hypertensive properties. Among mechanisms have been proposed prevention chronic diseases, most proven are attributed presence compounds such soluble insoluble dietary fiber, phytochemicals, proteins peptides cowpea. However, studies on anti-cancer properties produced conflicting results. Some support protective effect progression cancer inflammation, whereas others did not reveal any. Because there only few addressing health-related effects consumption, further this area suggested. In addition, despite reported favorable diabetes, hyperlipidemia hypertension, long-term epidemiological study investigating association between consumption cardiovascular disease also recommended. © 2018 Society Chemical Industry.