Nutrition Information

Fava Beans

by Pierre S. Aoukar, MD and Hratch L. Karamanoukian, MD
Posted: March 11

Perhaps made famous in the US by Hannibal Lecter who enjoyed, “gourmet home-cooked liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti,” this bean has been a staple of the Mediterranean diet since the time of the ancient Greeks. As with most beans or legumes, they contain only 80 calories per 1/2 cup serving with almost no fat, while providing 15 grams of fiber, the majority of which is soluble. This is ideal for diabetics since it slows the absorption of glucose, reducing the need for insulin and for any person with heart disease since it impairs the absorption of cholesterol.

Reference:
Fava Beans, Excerpt from the book: Everything Good For The Heart: The A to Z Guide, Aoukar PS and Karamanoukian HL. Magalhaes Scientific Press