Are fava beans good for dog’s health?

Fava Beans are part of the legume family which include other pulses peas, beans, chickpeas, lentils and lupins.

Also known as broad beans, they are a lean protein choice with lots of fibre, no saturated fat or cholesterol and contain a high concentration of thiamine, vitamin K, vitamin B-6, potassium, copper, selenium, zinc and magnesium and are also one of the top high-folate foods.

Our fava beans are dehulled to improve their nutritional value.

Eating these beans regularly may have benefits for symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (Degenerative Myelopathy), help prevent birth defects, boost immunity, aid weight loss and lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

In his 2008 book ‘The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest’, the American writer and explorer Dan Buettner found that legumes such as peas were a staple food amongst the world’s longest-living people. In fact, virtually all of the centenarians that Buettner’s team examined consumed legumes on a daily basis.

Legumes are identified by scientists as being climate smart crops that fix nitrogen in the soil decreasing the reliance on synthetic fertilisers, require less energy and water for cultivation and deliver healthy, bio-available proteins.

12 Science Informed Reasons to Include Fava Beans in Your Dog’s Diet:

1. Loaded with Nutrients – Fava beans are incredibly nutritious and an excellent source of soluble fibre, protein, folate, manganese, copper and several other micronutrients.
2. May Help with Parkinson’s Disease (Degenerative Myelopathy) Symptoms – Fava beans are rich in L-dopa, which the body converts to dopamine. Since Parkinson’s disease is characterized by low dopamine levels, eating fava beans may help with symptoms. Still, more research on this topic is needed. (4, 5, 6, 7)
3. May Help Prevent Birth Defects – Fava beans are loaded with folate, a nutrient that promotes proper brain and spinal cord development in human infants. Adequate folate intake in pregnant women can help prevent neural tube defects. (3 ,8, 9, 10, 11) Gene mutation in dogs offers clues for neural tube defects in humans. (12)
4. Contain Immune-Boosting Nutrients – Fava beans contain compounds that have been shown to boost antioxidant activity in test-tube studies. Since antioxidants enhance immune function, eating fava beans may boost immunity and delay cellular ageing, but more research is needed. (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
5. Beneficial for Bone Health – research in both animals and humans suggests that adequate levels of manganese and copper — two nutrients that are abundant in fava beans — may promote bone strength. (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
6. May Improve Symptoms of Anaemia – regular consumption of fava beans may help increase blood iron levels and improve symptoms of anaemia that results from inadequate iron intake. (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
7. May Improve High Blood Pressure – Fava beans are loaded with magnesium and potassium that may help relax blood vessels and decrease high blood pressure. (31,32, 33, 34, 35)
8. May Aid Weight Loss – eating foods that are rich in protein and fibre — such as fava beans — may help your dog lose weight and consume fewer calories overall. (36, 37, 38, 39)
9. May Help Lower Cholesterol and Reduce Hyperlipidaemia – Fava beans are high in soluble fibre that can bind to and remove cholesterol from the body. This type of fibre has also been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce hyperlipidaemia. (1, 40, 41, 42)
10. Improve Agricultural Biodiversity – cultivating fava beans in multiple cropping systems enriches agro-biodiversity, ensures resilience to climate change and improves ecosystem services. (31, 32)
11. Help Mitigate Climate Change – fava beans have a multiple role in promoting living organisms and ecological complexity to re-establish the natural good functioning of ecosystems. (31, 32)
12. Fava beans Contribute to Global Food Security – fava beans are important and affordable sources of protein and minerals with a low wastage footprint. (33)