What nutrients does mung bean help pregnant women with? Mung beans come loaded with folate, which plays a key role in the production of red blood cells and prevention of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in the developing baby. Your body needs high amounts of iron intake for the growth of the placenta and for fetal development, especially in the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy. Mung beans are an excellent source of iron, too. Besides, mung beans also offer you the goodness of many other essential nutrients such as copper, vitamin B1, and manganese. However, mung beans, like all other sprouts, are prone to bacteria and must be washed thoroughly before consumption.