Fava Beans Nutrition Facts

The botanical name of Fava bean is Vicia Faba and it is also known as broad bean, horse bean, bell bean or field bean. The cultivation of fava beans can be dated back to 6000 BC or even earlier. These beans are an integral part of the Mediterranean and Chinese cuisine. One of the main characteristics of these beans is their meat like taste and they are counted among some of the tastiest types of beans. Apart from their taste, these beans are also known for their high protein and fiber content. They are among the rare sources of naturally occurring L-dopa, which is one of the significant chemicals used for treating Parkinson's disease. Before knowing more about the health benefits of fava beans, let us take a look at the nutritional facts about these beans.

Nutrition Facts About Fava Beans

Canned Beans

Given below is a table that provides the nutritional information for one cup of canned fava beans.

Vitamins
Vitamin C	4.6 mg	Thiamin	0.1 mg
Riboflavin	0.1 mg	Niacin	2.5 mg
Vitamin B6	0.1 mg	Folate	84.5 mcg
Vitamin A	#25.6 IU	Pantothenic Acid	0.3 mg
Minerals
Calcium	66.6 mg	Iron	2.6 mg
Magnesium	81.9 mg	Zinc	1.6 mg
Sodium	1160 mg	Phosphorus	202 mg
Potassium	620 mg	Selenium	4.6 mcg
Fats
Total Fat Content	0.6 g	Monounsaturated Fat	0.1 g
Polyunsaturated	0.2 g	Cholesterol	0.0 mg
Other Macro Nutrients
Protein	14.0 g	Carbohydrate	31.8 g

# - International Unit

Raw Beans

Given below is a table that provides information on the nutritional value in one cup of raw fava beans.

Vitamins
Vitamin C	2.1 mg	Thiamin	0.8 mg
Riboflavin	0.5 mg	Niacin	4.2 mg
Vitamin B6	0.5 mg	Folate	634 mcg
Vitamin A	#79.5 IU	Pantothenic Acid	1.5 mg
Minerals
Calcium	155 mg	Iron	10.1 mg
Magnesium	288 mg	Zinc	4.7 mg
Sodium	19.5 mg	Phosphorus	632 mg
Potassium	1593 mg	Selenium	12.3 mcg
Fats
Total Fat Content	2.3 g	Monounsaturated Fat	0.5 g
Polyunsaturated	0.9 g	Cholesterol	0.0 mg
Other Macro Nutrients
Protein	39.2 g	Carbohydrate	87.4 g

# - International Unit

Benefits of Fava Beans

As mentioned earlier, fava beans are rich sources of L-dopa (Levodopa), which is basically a chemical substance used in medicines for treating Parkinson's disease. According to some studies, consumption of these beans can help to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease because the effect of the beans is similar to medications used for Parkinson's disease. Some researches and surveys also state that the effect of these beans last longer as compared to effects of the medication. But some people have found no effects on the symptoms of Parkinson's disease even after the consumption of fava beans. Thus, we can say that there are no strong results to prove that consumption of these beans can help to treat Parkinson's disease. Thus, it is recommended that a person suffering from Parkinson's disease should consult a physician and discuss the amount of beans to be consumed.

Like all other legumes, fava beans are high in fiber and protein and provide a number of health benefits. They also contain high amounts of minerals like iron, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. All these minerals play an important role in the overall development of our body.They are rich sources of vitamin A and C; vitamin A is required for good vision, skin and bone development, while vitamin C is necessary for boosting the immune system. Potassium is an important mineral required by body for proper regulation of blood pressure and other cardiovascular functions. These beans are very low in calories, and they contain zero cholesterol. Thus, they are healthy foods that can help to lose or maintain weight.

Though there are so many significant health benefits of fava beans, there are some health concerns that should be kept in mind. "Favism" is a hereditary health ailment that causes allergic symptoms due to consumption of fava beans. These allergic reactions are due to the deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). Though this deficiency is very rare, one should consult a physician if he/she notices any allergic reactions on consuming the beans. Also note that these beans contain high amount of complex carbohydrates and hence, excess consumption can cause pain in the abdomen and gastric problems. I hope this article has helped you know more about how nutritious fava beans are.