Sarah EatonChance are, you’ve heard of fava beans, whether you’ve a general knowledge of beans in general, or perhaps you’re a movie buff. But if you’ve never eaten fava beans, now is the time to change that. These beans are full of nutrients and therefore can help treat and prevent a variety of health-related issues. For example, fava beans benefits include potentially reducing risk of hypertension as well as birth defects. Additionally, fava beans offer a good dose of energy. Learn what else this food can do for your health by reading below.
Here are 6 fantastic fava beans benefits:
1. May Reduce Risk of Birth Defects
Starting off, fava beans benefits include a great source of folate. Not only is folate good for providing energy, it also is an essential nutrient for pregnant women. Folate is linked to reducing birth defects.
In fact, it’s best of women of childbearing ages (between 15 and 45) take 400 micrograms every day to help reduce the risk of birth defects. This is because in a lot of cases problems occur within the first few weeks of pregnancy. And this is the window of time in which many women do not yet know they are pregnant.
Furthermore, Researchers at Scientific Reports found a positive association between maternal folate supplementation and a decreased risk of congenital heart defects. (1)
Additional studies also show a link between folate consumption and the reduced risk of birth defects, including mortality from birth defects. (2, 3, 4)
2. Helps Prevent Osteoporosis
Fava beans health benefits continue with the ability to help prevent osteoporosis. This is due to the manganese content within fava beans. Fava beans contain 36 percent of your daily recommended intake of manganese. Manganese helps increase bone mass, but it also helps reduce calcium deficiency.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has said that consuming manganese in conjunction with calcium, zinc, and copper may reduce spinal bone loss in older women. (5)
3. May Eliminate Hypertension and Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
Many Americans are deficient in magnesium, but this is where fava beans benefits can come into play again. They are a good source of magnesium, a mineral that is crucial to heart health. Studies show that magnesium can lower blood pressure as well as lower risk of hypertension. (6)
As fava beans benefits include magnesium, add them to your diet today to protect your body from the consequences of a magnesium deficiency.
4. Supports a Strong Immune System
Fava beans benefits extend to your immune system, as well. This is because of the copper amount in fava beans. Copper helps maintain healthy white blood cells, which help fight against illness and disease.
The body can’t produce enough copper on its own, which is why it’s important to make sure you are supplementing through foods like fava beans.
5. Provides Energy
When you’re low in iron, you run the risk of developing anemia. This leaves you feeling tired and sluggish. However, fava beans benefits include a good dose of iron. One cup gives you 14 percent of your daily iron needs. (7)
However, if you have a G6PD deficiency, you should avoid fava beans, as they contain chemicals that are highly oxidative. (8)
6. May Improve Motor Function
Fava beans benefits include the potential to help control symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research looked into fava beans benefits, regarding motor control. They found a confirmed link between fava beans and improved symptoms in patience with Parkinson’s disease. (9)
Start reaping fava beans benefits by making them a regular part of your diet.