Broad beans: properties, benefits, and culinary uses

Rich in water and low in fat, Broad beans are a real concentrate of beneficial properties for our healthIn fact, they contain vitamins, vegetable proteins, iron, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and MagnesiumA legume best eaten fresh when in season: cooking, as with many other foods, reduces its beneficial properties.

Le Fava beans They are fantastic legumes that can be found fresh in Italy from April to July, and dried throughout the year. The herbaceous plant belongs to the family of Fabaceae and Fava beans They are widely used in Mediterranean cuisine, as well as in Latin America, East Asia, and North Africa.

Nutritional properties

• 11,3 grams of water
• 27,2 grams of protein
• 3 g of lipids
• 4,9 g of soluble sugars
• 7 g of fiber

Benefits

The benefits of broad beans are broad-spectrum, ranging from the intestine to the nervous system.

• Broad beans are an important food in case of anemia: the Vitamin C facilitates the absorption of Iron, a nutrient that these legumes are rich in.
• They also contain folic acid and Vitamin B1, the latter being essential for metabolism and the proper functioning of the nervous system.
• The presence of plant sterols helps lower high cholesterol.
• And more: fava beans are an excellent source of manganese, a mineral that plays an important role in the prevention of arthritis and osteoporosis.
• La Vitamin A and the vitamin C contained in broad beans give this legume an important role as a natural antioxidant.
• Some research, still not definitively shared by the scientific community, highlights the possibility that fava beans, by improving brain function, may also prevent Parkinson's disease. The isoflavones in fava beans may also protect against breast cancer.

Recipes with broad beans

Broad beans have a variety of culinary uses, all delicious. Here are some recipes published on our website.

• Orecchiette with broad beansA classic, with pecorino cheese, prawns, and shallots.
• Broad bean and almond pestoTo season pasta, or as an aperitif with bruschetta.
• Broad bean saladFresh and healthy. You can add tomatoes and chopped parsley.
• Broad bean soupAnother classic dish: try it with honey.
• Pasta and broad beans with ricotta and pecorino cheeseYou can also add shallots here.
• Muffins with fresh broad beansAdd salami and bread, and you've got a delicious picnic basket.

Controindicazioni

Broad beans, precisely because of the significant presence of mineral salts, are not recommended for those who suffer from calculationsThey can interact negatively with medications like linezolid, and in this case, it's best to consult your doctor. However, eating this legume is definitely prohibited if you suffer from favism.

Favism

Favism is an acute hemolytic syndrome accompanied by hemoglobinuria, which occurs following the ingestion of fava beans. It is caused by a hereditary deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). Characteristic symptoms include fever, jaundice, oliguria, pale skin, dark urine, and bright yellow sclera.

Read also:

• Medlars: properties, benefits and uses
• Green beans: benefits, properties, uses, and contraindications
• Cabbage: Properties, Benefits, and Culinary Uses
• Artichokes: properties, benefits and uses