Broad beans

Broad beans was first published in the local newspaper in a column about our green home.

Sugar beans are a major source of protein for many South Africans, especially the poor and vegetarians; however there are problems. The price has increased sharply, in part because of the drought.

The price of seed of new varieties has shot up since major agricultural companies have become involved with new hybrids; they are reportedly more resistant to mildew and other pests that have caused poor yields.

Retail prices increased by over 70 percent in the first six months of 2019.

This page was updated on 8th August, 2025.

Fibre in broad beans

Beans in general have large amounts of soluble fibre making them the perfect food for those who suffer from raised blood glucose; that is a huge problem in South Africa.

By forming a gel in the gut they slow down the rapid absorption of the starch in refined carbohydrates like white rice that we as a nation have come to love. Understanding a little about what is a dietary fiber is important for all of us who get most of our food from the supermarket.

It's a gem for those suffering from constipation too.

• How to get more fiber
  

Beans for diabetes

Contrary to their name, sugar-beans are the perfect food for diabetics; but that increase in price has put a brake on sales.

There is an alternative; fava beans, as they are sometimes called, have an even greater proportion of protein; in fact, at 25 percent, the highest of all legumes bar soy.

They are simple to grow and go on bearing for months. Autumn is the best time to plant them in South Africa; they get a fungus called chocolate spot disease^[2] in warm, humid weather. Using plenty of wood ash in the soil when you plant apparently helps make them more resistant; your local pizzeria will bless you if you take away their burned coals. 

Broad beans

The only natural source of dopamine

Broad beans are the second richest source of plant protein and one of the few "natural springs" of L-dopa for those suffering from Parkinson's disease; those who are looking for an alternative to drugs for their medication need seek no farther.

They are also the only legume reputed to be a complete protein; they have all the essential amino acids.

The catch though is that fresh young broad beans are almost impossible to buy in most places; you have to grow them yourself. You are unlikely to find them in the supermarket.

• Eggs Parkinson's disease
  

Grow them yourself

The seed is relatively expensive too; but if you keep back a few pods at the end of the season from chocolate spot-free plants, they will grow readily next year. The Sunrise cultivar is best all round.

We have found that our own seed germinates far better for some reason than that bought from the local nursery. It should be soaked between damp sheets of paper for a few days before planting.

Favas as far as we can tell seem to be less prone to the fungal diseases of sugar beans; the black aphids love them though.

Use soapy grey water from the washing machine to asphyxiate but not poison the aphids; it needs to be applied two or three times.

• Broad bean pests
  

Broad bean pests

We have had minimal problems with rust. There is absolutely no need to spray them with noxious chemicals as is required with sugar beans, making them doubly perfect for the green garden.

Soil should not be heavily fertilised as legumes capture nitrogen from the atmosphere for the soil; they are the perfect crop to follow maize, for example. In our case the hens have picked the area between the mealies clean leaving their droppings. Together with ordinary compost and wood ash that is more than sufficient.

They will need to be watered through the winter; they have a shallow rooting system. The hens show no interest in the plants as they certainly do with green beans.

They need to be supported; a simple frame of treated wattle poles or 8mm round bar is perfect, lasting for years. A stout bamboo stake pressed deep in the ground is also fine; they need to be tied with twine.

Parkinson's Disease

Broad beans are unique in one other important way; they are the only natural source of a phytochemical that is the precursor to dopamine.

Preliminary investigations published in the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research suggest that broad beans have tremendous applications in the prevention and treatment of highly prevalent Parkinson’s disease, neoplasms and cardiovascular conditions^[1]; and wet macular degeneration.

Harvest your broad beans when they are still relatively young; like most vegetables they are not very nice once they are old. We have not tried drying them but I am sure one could make them available throughout the year. Better still is that they can be easily blanched and frozen; they will grow in the summer with a little encouragement too.

Dried beans have far higher levels of lectins; controversially there is a body of opinion, misguided in my opinion, that we should avoid all those foods. They are much nicer if picked when young and green in any case.

Our plan was to use any excess as a substitute for laying mash for the hens but that has proved too time-consuming; podding is a chore.

• How to plant broad beans
  

Don't eat them raw

Broad beans and legumes in general but grains and other foods too have what is known as a trypsin inhibitor^[3]. It's quite complicated science and not relevant here but eaten raw, they can apparently cause pancreatitis.

Having said that I'm told the Spaniards love them raw.

Cook them unless they are very young; it deactivates most of the inhibitor. Read more at the nutritional profile of broad beans.

Try this broad bean bruschetta if you ever decide to grow them; simple and delicious.

Blue Zones and broad beans

The five Blue Zones of the world are regions identified where living to a hundred is not all that unusual. Researcher Dan Buettner found an unexpected commonality; many people continued gardening right into very old age.

What's more broad beans specifically get a mention, probably because of the dopamine that provides so much for our mental well-being. They are grown and enjoyed in all five blue zones.

Read more about blue zones at gardening could be the hobby that helps you live to 100.

This is the story of my own journey with broad beans.

Read more about the Blue Zones at gardening could be the hobby that helps you live to 100.

This is the story of my own journey with broad beans and an irritating tremor in my right hand.

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