Broad beans, which are also called fava beans, are among the oldest crops worldwide. They are called by many names, but in most cases, people call them broad beans. Originally, they came from South Africa, but today you can find them in many parts of the world. They can be grown in almost any climate, which makes them a flexible product. Still, is it worth attention? Should it be added to the meal plan regularly? What benefits will the body get from eating these beans? People don't know much about them, so they hesitate about whether they should be picked for cooking and eating. In this article, we will tell you everything about them.
How Do Broad Beans Help With Diseases?
The first thing to mention in our article is that broad beans provide multiple health benefits. They help people with health problems reduce the negative impact and get the needed vitamins. For example, these beans contain Vitamin B, which is extremely important for patients with heart problems. According to research, this nutrient reduces the risk of stroke and heart problems, keeping your heart safe. 100 grams of broad beans provide you with over half of a daily rate of vitamin B1.
Another advantage of fava beans help people with congestive heart failure (CHF) as they contain a high amount of folate. This component improves the elasticity of arteries and reduces the thickness of the arterial walls. This is a very important benefit as it lowers the risk of heart attacks. Besides, broad beans are very low in fats, only 0.1 gram of fats per 100 grams of product.
Broad Beans for Parkinson’s Disease: How Do They Help?
Parkinson's Disease is dangerous because it damages the nervous system, affecting people's movement and balance. When it happens, the brain starts losing cells that produce dopamine, which is an important component that establishes the connection between the brain and muscles. With dopamine, a person is able to send messages to the muscles and make moves. Parkinson's disease can't be cured, but you can work with its symptoms, such as slowed movement, tremors, and rigidity. Broad beans can prevent you from having Parkinson's disease because of the nutritional components inside. Amino acids L-dopa and C-dopa make the difference by boosting motor performance and having zero side effects.
Broad Beans to Boost Your Immune System and Strengthen Bones
Another advantage of eating broad beans is that they boost your immune system. Beans are a good source of compounds that boost antioxidant activity. Regular broad bean consumption leads to the delay of cellular aging. Another key advantage is that beans help you strengthen your bones. Manganese and copper contained in beans have a positive effect decreasing bone formation and increasing calcium excretion. Recent studies show that the combination of calcium, zinc, copper, and manganese improves bone mass and prevents bone loss in older age.
How to Eat Broad Beans?
The next question is: how to eat these beans? How would you consume them to get all the health benefits of fava beans? The easiest way to combine them with other products is to add them to salads. When you mix beans with vegetables, dressing like olive oil, and other ingredients, they will taste good and give your body everything you need. You can mix beans with spinach and other vegetables in a blender to make a tasty spread for bread, making a healthy snack. Add something on top and you will get a sandwich, which is already a complete meal. A cup of fava beans contains only 187 calories, but at the same time, it gives you a solid amount of protein, carbs, and fiber. Fiber in broad beans stimulates digestion, helping you deal with the protein and complex carbohydrates you consume with your meals.
One of the best ways to eat broad beans is to make a salad with simple ingredients: feta, fresh tomatoes, and basil. Use lemon-infused olive oil for flavor, and add some garlic to the rest of the ingredients. It may be a nice meal in your diet to help you maintain your weight and stay fit. However, if you don't have time to cook, there's a nice alternative. Order our weight maintenance meal plan and receive fresh food every day. We change the menu every day, offering you new meals to make sure you stay satisfied.
FAQ
What vitamins do broad beans contain?
Broad beans are a good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Moreover, they contain a solid amount of potassium and iron, keeping your muscles and bones in condition.
Can you eat raw broad beans?
Broad beans can be eaten raw only if they are young and freshly picked. Still, it's much better to cook them and use them as ingredients for large meals.
How to boil broad beans?
Young broad beans should be steamed for about 3 minutes. If you have older beans, give them at least 5 minutes.
Can fava beans be used for weight loss?
Fava beans are low in calories, so you can add them to your weight loss diet.
