06/21/2023
What Are Pea Shoots?
Pea shoots, also known as pea tendrils or pea greens, are the small leaves and vine tips of common variety pea plants. While peas are part of the legume family, pea shoots are eaten and prepared like other leafy vegetables. The shoots look like large long-stemmed clovers, with broad, round leaves and taste similar to pea seeds but with a little more of an earthy taste.
What Are the Health Benefits of Pea Shoots?
Just like peas, pea shoots offer many nutritional benefits. While low in macronutrients like carbs and fats, pea shoots contain a good amount of protein and fiber. They are also rich in vitamins. A serving of 100 grams of pea shoots contains:
4 grams of protein
3 grams of fiber
280 micrograms of vitamin K
79 milligrams of vitamin C
340 micrograms of vitamin A
Vitamin K. One 100-gram serving of pea shoots offers 267% of your recommended daily allowance. Vitamin K helps build bones and is essential for blood clotting. About 67% of the U.S. population doesn’t get enough vitamin K in their diet.
Vitamin C. The amount of vitamin C in 100 grams of pea shoots is 76% of your recommended daily allowance. Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, plays a role in forming blood vessels, cartilage, collagen, and muscle, and also helps your body heal. Your body can't produce vitamin C on its own, and almost 40% of people don't get enough of it in their diet.
Vitamin A. One 100-gram serving of pea shoots contains 43% of your daily recommended allowance of vitamin A. Vitamin A is an antioxidant and aids in growth, vision, reproduction, and cell division. About 43% of people are deficient in vitamin A.
Eating 100 grams of pea shoots will also give you 37% of your recommended daily intake of manganese, 24% of vitamin E, and 23% of folate.
