Fava beans: super-food against melancholy according to a researcher from Cambridge
Not only nutritious and sustainable legumes, the beans become a real gold mine for our well-being
A legume against melancholy
Nadia Mohd-Radzman, brilliant botanist at the University of Cambridge, is launching a real crusade: to help the British Isles rediscover the extraordinary properties of the broad beans. According to his research, it is not only a nutritious and sustainable legume, but a real elixir for our mental health.
A treasure hidden in the fields
Beans are a real gold mine for our well-being. They are rich in protein, fiber, iron and, above all, levodopa, a substance that improves mood and fights anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure. Thanks to levodopa, the fava beans are a super-food able to intervene on our mental well-being fighting melancholy, depression and anxiety. As Mohd-Radzman herself states “Beans could be the solution to many of the mental health problems that plague our society” and adds “They are cheap, accessible and have proven positive effects on mood.”
A glorious past, a bright future
Grown in Britain since the Iron Age, beans have long been a staple of the British diet. However, in recent decades they have been somewhat neglected, in favour of other legumes. ” It’s a shame, because the beans have enormous potential,” she continues. ” We can use them to create a wide range of delicious and nutritious dishes, from bread to soups, from salads to fermented foods.
A green revolution
The campaign of Mohd-Radzman goes far beyond the simple promotion of a food. It is a true green revolution, aiming to transform the way we grow, cook and consume food. ” We want to create a future where beans are a staple on our tables, a symbol of a healthy and sustainable diet,’ she says.
A brighter future
The fava beans represent a hope for a healthier and happier future. It is a simple food, but one with extraordinary properties, which can help improve our mental and physical health.” Imagine a world where people eat more vegetables, less red meat and where beans are a staple food,” concludes Mohd-Radzman. “A world where mental health is a priority and where everyone has access to a healthy and balanced diet. This is the future we want to build.”