What is a faba bean? In this post we’ll explain exactly what a faba bean is and highlight the benefits of protein powders made from faba beans.
Get ready to be surprised because this little bean packs a lot of punch!
What is a faba bean?
Faba beans are also commonly known as fava beans and broad beans. Their botanical name is Vicia Faba.
Faba beans are a member of the pea and bean family called Fabaceae. Faba beans are grown widely throughout the world and here in Australia.
While not necessarily important for health, it’s worth highlighting that faba bean cultivation has many environmental benefits. Because they can be grown in winter, when other crops aren’t, faba beans are often grown to prevention erosion. Faba beans also fix nitrogen in the soil. This simply means they add nitrogen to the soil during growth rather than taking it away, like most plants.
Faba beans an important food
Faba beans are one of the oldest and most important foods in the world. Being one of the most ancient plants in cultivation, it’s been used in most civilisations’ cuisines, and particularly in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries.
Perhaps the most well-known dish to contain faba or broad beans is falafel. Other traditional dishes include Egypt’s ful medames, Morocco’s Bissara and Italy’s Puré di fave e cicorie.
Fava beans were also made infamous by Anthony Hopkins and his Hannibal Lecter character in Silence of the Lambs. He mentioned to the young and beautiful FBI agent that he once ate a man’s liver “with some fava beans and a nice chianti”. Lovely!
Faba bean protein powders
You don’t need to eat a falafel (or fava beans, with liver and chianti!) to enjoy faba beans. These days they are made into powders that can be used as a supplement.
What are the benefits of faba bean protein powder and why do people use the powder as a supplement? There are many reasons, including:
- The little faba bean is high in protein. In fact, it’s around 85 per cent protein. This makes faba beans important for people who choose not to eat animal proteins and others who struggle to get enough protein into their diet.
- There are other plant based powders but some are not considered a complete protein. The faba bean is. It is packed full of essential amino acids.
- Proteins that are considered complete and contain all essential amino acids are perfect for muscle growth and repair.
- Faba beans – and faba bean protein powders – are high in fibre. Ensuring you have enough fibre in your diet is important for health. It aids digestion, helps maintain healthy glucose levels and aids in cholesterol control.
- The humble faba bean is a nutrient-rich wonder. It’s packed full of folate, manganese, copper, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, thiamine, zinc and iron. The latter is very important for women, who need more iron in their diets than men.
- Faba beans are low in fat. Importantly for those trying to reduce their cholesterol, they have zero saturated fats.
- Faba beans are rich in antioxidants and consumption will help keep your immune system fighting fit.
- Eating faba beans and taking faba bean protein powder will help you feel full for longer. Perfect for those looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight range.
- Faba bean protein is high in a compound that easily converts to dopamine, which is important for mental and physical health.
Not all faba bean protein powders are created equal
There are many benefits from taking protein powders made from faba beans, but that doesn’t mean all faba bean protein powders are healthy. Some contain lots of sugar, fillers and additives that dilute the health benefits.
For your health, make sure you purchase faba bean protein powders that are high in protein, low in sugar and only contains natural ingredients. Like Pure Plant Proteins’ range of faba bean protein powders. They only contain natural sweeteners and natural flavours. They’re also gluten-free, GMO-free, low carb and vegan friendly protein powder.
Choose from chocolate, coconut, vanilla and unflavoured. Like the humble faba bean, they’re packed full of natural goodness.
