The cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an annual herbaceous legume from the genus Vigna. Due to its tolerance for sandy soil and low rainfall, it is an important crop in the semiarid regions across Africa and Asia. It requires very few inputs, as the plant’s root nodules are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen, making it a valuable crop for resource-poor farmers and well-suited to intercropping with other crops. The whole plant is used as forage for animals, with its use as cattle feed likely responsible for its name.

Four subspecies of cowpeas are recognized, of which three are cultivated. A high level of morphological diversity is found within the species with large variations in the size, shape, and structure of the plant. Cowpeas can be erect, semierect (trailing), or climbing. The crop is mainly grown for its seeds, which are high in protein, although the leaves and immature seed pods can also be consumed.

Cowpeas were domesticated in Africa^[rx] and are one of the oldest crops to be farmed. A second domestication event probably occurred in Asia, before they spread into Europe and the Americas. The seeds are usually cooked and made into stews and curries, or ground into flour or paste.

Cowpea is also known as Vigna unguiculata is a legume of the family Fabaceae ⁄ Leguminosae. It is also known as Bachapin Bean, Southern Pea Black Eyed Cowpea, Black Eyed Dolichos, Poona Pea Black-Eyed Pea, Rope Bean Black-Eyed Bean, Red Pea China Bean, Marble Pea, Common Cowpea, Macassar Bean, Cowgram, Cowpea, Kafir Bean, Cultivated African Cowpea, Crowder Bean, Field Pea, and Crowder Pea. The names of cowpea in various languages are: (German) Augenbohne, Langbohne; (Hindu) Chauli, Kulath; (Japanese) Sasage; (Korean) Tongpu etc. There are 7 varieties of cowpea which are named Blackeye or purple eye peas, Browneye peas, Crowder peas, Cream, White acre type, Clay types, and Forage cultivars.

It is the legume or annual crops which are grown all over the world. It is loaded with nutrition. Cowpea is found in various varieties which differ in colors and sizes. It is also used as fodder for animals. It also enhances to fix the nitrogen.

History

It was found in Africa but nowadays it is also cultivated in Southeast Asia, Africa, Southern United States, and Latin America. Around 200 BC and 300 BC, it was introduced to India and Europe respectively.

Plant

Cowpea is an herbaceous legume that grows annually in a warm climate with adequate rainfall. It is the crop that grows well in the warm season, temperate zones, and humid tropics. It prefers well-drained, sandy soils or sandy loams. The plant grows up to 24 inches in height. The flower has got the shape of the bell in the color of white, pink, dirty yellow, purple or blue. The leaves are dark green and 10 cm long with a smooth, rhomboid, pubescent, and shiny to a dull appearance. The leaves are dark green with a smooth, rhomboid, pubescent, and shiny to a dull appearance. The stem is 3 m long with smooth, straight, slender hairy and some shades of purple. The plant has got no branches at all. The plant has a taproot with an expansion of lateral roots in the soil. The parts of the plant which are edible are roots, green leaves, immature pods, seeds, and green seeds.

Seed

The pod is yellow, green, or purple, slightly curved and cylindrical with 6-10 inches long. Each pod possesses 6-13 seeds. The seeds are white, green, cream, buff, brown, red, and black. It has got the shape of the kidney 6-12 mm in length. It has got the flavor of nuts. The seed has got a lifespan of 5 years.

Nutritional Value

Cowpea is loaded with various types of nutrients. It is rich in fiber, protein, iron, potassium, low in fat and calories. The cup of cowpea possesses 11.1 g fiber, 13.22 g protein, 4.29 mg iron, 475 mg potassium, 0.91 g fat, and 198 calories. Along with that, various amino acids such as 0.612 g of tryptophan, 0.41 g of histidine, 0.188 g of Methionine, and 0.894 g of lysine are contained in this seed.

Cowpea Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Vigna unguiculata

Health benefits of Cowpea

1. Prevent Cancer

Cowpea possesses folate (Vitamin B9) which assists in lowering the chances of neural tube defects like anencephaly or spina bifida. The deficiency of folate leads to the birth defects such as malformations of the limb and heart. Folate is also essential for the replication of DNA because the fetus cells could not grow without the presence of folate. This is an essential vitamin that is necessary for having a healthy pregnancy. Pregnant women should consume the prenatal vitamin so that they would consume an adequate amount of folate. Cowpea possesses Vitamin B9 by 356 µg which provides eighty-nine percent of the daily recommended value.

2. Prevents Anemia

Cowpeas possess the mineral (Iron) in high amounts which eliminates anemia. Iron assists in protein metabolism which is essential for the RBCs and hemoglobin production and also inhibits anemia. Anemia is the result of low hemoglobin and red blood cells. Anemia affects the body parts and also reduces energy levels. It leads to the poor functioning of the brain and a reduction in immunity.   World Health Organization surveys that half of the anemia cases are caused due to the deficiency of iron and others are caused due to genetic factors.

3. Supports a Healthy Metabolism

Potassium, copper, various antioxidants, and folate assist to maintain the metabolism health in the people who intake the cowpeas daily. Copper acts as an essential part in functioning 50 different reactions of metabolic enzymes in the body. The reactions of enzymes are vital to maintaining the smooth functioning of metabolism. 0.458 mg of copper is present in the cowpeas.

4. Helps Maintain Strong Bones

Cowpeas possess calcium and phosphorus which is vital mineral to maintain the strength and structure of bones. Manganese assists in the formation of bones by regulating the enzymes and hormones which is involved in the process of bone metabolism. Phosphorus assists in the mineral density of bones that forbids bone break, fracture, and osteoporosis. To have healthy bones, it is a must to balance the calcium and phosphorus levels. Cowpeas contains 4% calcium, 38% phosphorus and 35% manganese. Osteoporosis in women is helped with the presence of vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, calcium, copper, and boron in cowpea.

5. Encourages Mental Well-being

Cowpea possesses tryptophan which is effective for treating disorders of social anxiety, insomnia and provides a night of sound sleep. It assists the neurotransmitters which maintain the level of energy, control mood, and appetite. The cowpeas can enhance the level of histidine as it possesses histidine in 0.41 mg which provides thirty-three percent of the daily recommended value.

6. Helps heal and repair muscle tissue

Cowpeas contains isoleucine which assists to raise endurance and also fixes the tissue in the muscles and promotes the clotting of the injury. The presence of amino acids enhances energy. Valine, isoleucine, and leucine are three chains of amino acids that enhance the recovery of muscles. It also stabilizes blood sugar. 0.53 grams Isoleucine, 1.01 grams leucine, and 0.63 grams Valine are obtained in one cup of cooked cowpeas.

7. Helps maintain bowel health

The cowpeas possess dietary fibers which promote and soften the stool. It reduces constipation with the easy flow of bulky stool. The bulk is added to the stool because the fiber helps to absorb the water. A diet rich in fiber reduces the chances of small pouches in the colon and hemorrhoids.

8. Supports a Healthy Cardiovascular System

The presence of Vitamin B1 is a must for the production of neurotransmitter which is also known to be acetylcholine which passes messages between the muscles and nerves. The recent studies summarize that thiamine counteracts heart diseases and maintains the healthy function of ventricles which cures heart failure. Adding vitamin B1-rich food Cowpeas to your diet may help to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

9. Supports Immune system

Cowpeas possess threonine which may assist the immune system by promoting the antibodies production. The threonine produces the serine and glycine which is essential for the college, muscle tissue, and elastin production. It maintains healthy and strong connective muscles and tissues. Cowpeas which are rich in threonine may help to boost your Immune system

10. Prevent Cold Sores

The lysine in the cowpea reduces genital herpes or cold sores and also speeds up the healing process. The daily intake of cowpeas reduces the chances of recurrence of cold sores. One cup of cowpea provides 0.90 g of lysine which means 27% of DV.

11. Prevent Depression

The amino acid phenylalanine in Cowpeas may help to prevent depression. The studies have shown that phenylalanine is effective for the therapy of depression. The mood of the people was improved as they took phenylalanine because of the rise in the production of chemicals such as norepinephrine and dopamine. Hence depression and other health conditions such as migraines and insomnia may prevent by adding phenylalanine-rich food Cowpeas to your diet.

12. Prevent Diabetes

Cowpea possesses a high amount of magnesium which is essential for the metabolism of glucose and carbohydrate. The research summarizes that the intake of food rich in magnesium reduces the chances of type 2 diabetes by 15% in approx. The clinical studies show that the intake of magnesium improves insulin sensitivity. The researchers have shown that the low presence in the level of magnesium leads to the defect in the secretion of insulin and also reduces the sensitivity of insulin. It inhibits diabetes but does not cure it. As it possesses carbohydrates by 27%, it stimulates the level of glucose so the patients with chronic diabetes must consult with a medical professional before consuming it.

Traditional usage

Leaf

Leaves and seeds are used as a bandage in order to treat skin swellings and infections. It is also applied to treat burns. Leaves are chewed to treat tooth disorders.

Root

The root acts as an antidote for snakebites. The infusion of seeds treats amenorrhea and the use of crushed roots with porridge cures chest pain, epilepsy, painful menstruation, and dysmenorrhea.

Seed

The powder made from the seeds is used to treat insect stings. The liquor of cowpea which is cooked with spices is effective for the common cold. The worms in the stomach could be eliminated with the boiled cowpea. The roots of another plant if cooked with the seeds are effective in treating the bilharzia and blood in the urine.

Plant

The plant is used to make emetics which treats fever and heals urinary schistosomiasis caused due to Schistosoma haematobium.

How to Eat

Cowpeas could be cooked or either steamed after soaking in the water the whole night. It is added to the various recipes as well. Along with the pea, chilies, tomatoes, and onions could also be added.

Precautions

The diet professional should be consulted before consuming the cowpeas to avoid any health conditions.

References

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