Cowpeas for sustainable agriculture and nutrition security: an overview of their nutritional quality and agroeconomic advantages

被引:0
作者
Khetan Shevkani [1 ]
B. Shivani [1 ]
Surjeet Singh Dhaka [1 ]
Chidanand Patil [1 ]
机构
[1] Department of Applied Agriculture, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
来源
Discover Food | / 5卷 / 1期
关键词
Cowpeas; Health benefits; Nutrition; Protein quality; Sustainability;
D O I
10.1007/s44187-025-00382-x
中图分类号
学科分类号
摘要
Cowpeas play a crucial role in sustainable agriculture and nutrition security, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where they serve as a vital food source for millions. Cowpea grains are rich in proteins (20–30%), complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and phenolics, making them an excellent dietary choice for promoting health. Overall, they can play a crucial role in addressing global nutritional challenges. Their low-fat, gluten-free and cholesterol-free attributes, along with disease-preventive properties, further enhance their value as a food ingredient. Agronomically, cowpeas require minimal agricultural inputs, exhibit high drought and heat tolerance and possess substantial nitrogen-fixing capabilities, allowing them to thrive on marginal lands without significant reliance on fertilisers. Furthermore, their eco-friendly cultivation can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to animal protein sources. This comprehensive overview examines the nutritional benefits of cowpeas and their agroeconomic advantages, emphasising their potential to contribute to food/nutrition security and sustainable agricultural practices. © The Author(s) 2025.
引用
收藏
相关论文
共 134 条
[1]  
Brennan C.S., Brennan M., Mason S., Patil S., The potential of combining cereals and legumes in the manufacture of extruded products for a healthy lifestyle, EC Nutr, 5, pp. 1120-1127, (2016)
[2]  
Conti M.V., Guzzetti L., Panzeri D., De Giuseppe R., Coccetti P., Labra M., Cena H., Bioactive compounds in legumes: implications for sustainable nutrition and health in the elderly population, Trends Food Sci Technol, 117, pp. 139-147, (2021)
[3]  
Shevkani K., Protein from land - legumes and pulses, Future proteins, pp. 35-68, (2023)
[4]  
Penchalaraju M., Don Bosco S.J., Legume protein concentrates from green gram, cowpea, and horse gram, J Food Process Preserv, 46, (2022)
[5]  
Rengadu D., Gerrano A.S., Mellem J.J., Physicochemical and structural characterization of resistant starch isolated from Vigna unguiculata, Int J Biol Macromol, 147, pp. 268-275, (2020)
[6]  
Rengadu D., Gerrano A.S., Mellem J.J., Prebiotic effect of resistant starch from Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Cowpea) using an in vitro simulated digestion model, Int J Food Sci Technol, 55, pp. 332-339, (2020)
[7]  
Venkidasamy B., Selvaraj D., Nile A.S., Ramalingam S., Kai G., Nile S.H., Indian pulses: A review on nutritional, functional and biochemical properties with future perspectives, Trends Food Sci Technol, 88, pp. 228-242, (2019)
[8]  
Abebe B.K., Alemayehu M.T., A review of the nutritional use of cowpea (Vignaunguiculata L. Walp) for human and animal diets, J Agric Food Res, 10, (2022)
[9]  
Awika J.M., Duodu K.G., Bioactive polyphenols and peptides in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and their health promoting properties: a review, J Funct Foods, 38, pp. 686-697, (2017)
[10]  
Hamadou M., Alain M.M.M., Obadias F.V., Hashmi M.Z., Basaran B., Paul B.J., Rene M.S., Consumption of underutilised grain legumes and the prevention of type II diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases: evidence from field investigation and physicochemical analyses, Environ Challenges, 9, (2022)