- Fava beans are similar to edamame. They come in their own personal pouch and taste delicious. They are in season from February through July, making them a spring and summer organic food.
- Eating organic foods like fava beans and legumes is key to optimal health.
- Health experts swear by them because of their potent protein content and many health benefits.
- Let’s take a look at the health benefits of eating organic fava beans.
-
- Excellent source of fiber:
- According to Self Nutrition Data, one cup of organic fava beans contains 9.2g of dietary fiber, which is 37 percent of the recommend daily value. Dietary fiber has shown many potent benefits, including normalizing bowel movements, lowering cholesterol, maintaining overall bowel health, regulating blood sugar, and aiding in weight loss.
-
- Good source of protein:
- Proteins are part of every cell, tissue, and organ in our bodies. These proteins are always in the process of being broken down and replaced. The proteins that we get from our diet are converted to amino acids and are used to replace the proteins in our body. One cup of fava beans contains 12.9g of protein, which is 26 percent of the recommended daily value.
-
- Heart health:
- Legumes such as organic fava beans have shown benefits in lowering high LDL cholesterol, which according to the American Heart Association is “one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.” Organic fava beans are also rich in folate, which according to a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in women.
- Lower blood pressure:
- The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet highly recommends 3-5 servings of legumes including organic fava beans to help control high blood pressure. An example of one serving of fava beans is about 1/2 a cup, cooked.
-
- Lowers cholesterol:
- A study from a team at the St. Michael’s Hospital shows that eating one serving a day of organic chickpeas, peas, beans or lentils can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), which in turn can reduce the risk of heart disease.
-
- As always: Check with your health practitioner before you change your diet and see if this is right for you. This food is not meant to replace any treatment or drugs you are taking.
-
- Eating legumes daily can reduce bad cholesterol.
- For the top healthy protein foods.
-
- REFERENCES:
- 1. “Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Broadbeans (fava Beans), Mature Seeds, Cooked, Boiled, without Salt.” Self Nutrition Data. Self Nutrition Data, n.d. Web. 05 May 2014.
- 2. “DASH Diet: Guide to Recommended Servings.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d. Web. 05 May 2014.
- 3. “Folate and Vitamin B6 From Diet and Supplements in Relation to Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Among Women.” The JAMA Network. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 4 Feb. 1998. Web. 5 May 2014.
- 4. “Why Cholesterol Matters.” Heart.org. American Heart Association, n.d. Web. 05 May 2014.
- 5. “Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d. Web. 04 May 2014.
