Is Red Kidney Beans more nutritious than Beef as tweeted by the Actor Madhavan?
A comparison image listing the price and nutrition of beef and red kidney beans including protein, fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium, and cholesterol is being circulated on social media platforms. This image was also shared by Actor Madhavan with the caption ‘Wow’.
— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) December 4, 2022
Twitter link | Archive twitter link
RED KIDNEY BEANS are nutritionally richer and economically cheaper than BEEF. Start having more beans in your diet from today itself.#vegetarian#KidneyBeans#Beef pic.twitter.com/3Qzdq8E43v
— NUTRIFIT (@_nutrifitt) December 4, 2022
The term ‘beef’ itself is a controversial topic in India where several cruel incidents happened including the lynching of Dalits and Muslims over rumours or suspicion of consuming or possessing beef. Similar incidents are frequent in BJP-ruled states.
It is also being campaigned against non-vegetarians most importantly beef eaters. Meanwhile, the comparison of nutrition and price of beef and red kidney beans on social media draws flak.
What is the truth?
The comparison of nutrients in the viral image whether it is ‘uncooked’ or ‘cooked’ is unclear as it has the word ‘uncooked’ as common and ‘cooked’ under beans. Any comparison needs to be made with uniform parameters. Here, the nutrition of food items is compared, hence comparison of nutrients in ‘cooked’ beef and beans would do the justice. We searched for the same in the ‘Healthify Me’ mobile application.
100 grams of cooked red kidney beans has 8.7 grams of protein, 22.8 grams of carbohydrates, 0.5 grams of fats, and 6.4 grams of fiber. And 100 grams of cooked beef has 12 grams of protein, 2.2 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fats, and 0.4 grams of fiber. Out of the nutrients mentioned here, carbohydrates and fats are not listed in the viral image. And it is known now that the protein and fiber content mentioned in the viral image is not true.
When searching on the internet, we found a website ‘foodstruct’ that could compare the nutrients in beef and beans. The nutritional value data for this comparison between Beef and Kidney Beans were taken by collating information published in U.S. Department of Agriculture’s findings published in its website which can be seen here and here.
Zinc: Beef has 631 m.gms whereas beans has 2.79 m.gms.
Vitamin B3: Beef has 5.378 m.gms whereas beans has 2.06 m.gms.
Only beef has vitamins A and B12.
The sugar content in beans is 2.23 grams whereas beef does not have it which is good for health.
These details are not compared in the viral image that is being spread. In addition to this, the price of beef is mentioned as 3 dollars per 100 grams. As per today’s Indian value, 100 grams of beef costs 240 rupees according to the viral image. But a kilogram of beef can be bought easily for 300 or 400 rupees around Chennai in Tamil Nadu which means 100 grams of beef cost 30-40 rupees which is again mentioned incorrectly in the viral image.
Why was such an incorrect comparison with selective nutrients alone made? Can humans be valued based on their food? And that too based on incorrect values and imbalanced parameters??
During the release of the film ‘Rocketry’, actor Madhavan shared a post claiming falsely that Panchangam (almanac) is used for the precise launch of the satellites.
Conclusion
It is apparent that the viral image that says nutrition in red kidney beans is higher than that of beef has incorrect data. Moreover, nutrients that are high in beans when compared to that of beef alone are alone listed in the image. When compared to beans, beef has more protein, zinc, vitamin B12, and vitamin A.
Links
Beef, ground, 85% lean meat / 15% fat, patty, cooked, broiled
Beans, kidney, all types, mature seeds, raw
Kidney bean vs Beef – In-Depth Nutrition Comparison
