Lima beans are a type of legume native to South America. These highly nutritious beans are known by a number of alternate monikers, including Haba beans, sugar beans, butter beans, Guffin beans, civet beans, Hibbert beans, Pallar beans, Sieva beans, Madagascar beans, and Burma beans. For people who prefer precision, the scientific name for lima beans is Phaseolus lunatus, and the beans come in two sizes, with larger beans believed to be native to the Andes, while smaller beans were cultivated in other parts of Mesoamerica.
There are other names for just about everything in the food world, and in this case, butter beans is the other name for lima beans. There are two common varieties of lima bean. The baby lima bean and the Ford hook but don’t confuse them as the same bean in different stages of development. The Fordhook is larger, lighter in color, and has a stronger taste than the baby lima, but it is not a grown-up baby. It is a separate variety.
Health Benefits of Lima bean
- Lima beans are a good source of protein and provide all the eight essential amino acids required for maintaining a healthy life. It is estimated that a single cup of uncooked lima beans provides around 85% of the daily protein requirement.
- Certain nutrients required for the detoxification process are present in these beans. Thus, they help reduce the occurrence of certain inflammatory, degenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Also, they help promote optimal health of the human body.
- Lima beans are excellent sources of natural antioxidants called anthocyanins. Studies have indicated that the darker the outer skin color of the beans, the higher would be the concentration of these antioxidants in them.
- These beans prove to be a good source of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. It is a known fact that bile acids present in the intestines are required for the synthesis of cholesterol in the body. The prime action of these dietary fibers is to bind with the bile acids and slow down the metabolism of carbohydrates. This way, the blood cholesterol levels in the body are reduced.
- The soluble fiber in lima beans absorbs water from the intestines and produces a gel-like substance. This substance lowers the metabolism of carbohydrates in the human body. As a result, these sugars are absorbed slowly from the intestines, preventing the sudden spike of blood sugar level after meals. Hence, regular intake of lima beans is very beneficial, especially for people suffering from diabetes (insulin resistance).
- The folic acid presents in lima beans helps reduce the levels of homocysteine in the body. This compound is an intermediate metabolite produced during the process of protein metabolism and is known to promote conditions like atherosclerosis, by interfering with the integrity of the blood vessel walls and the formation of collagen. Hence, regular intake of lima beans is important to prevent conditions like stroke, heart attack and PVD (Peripheral Vascular Disease).
- The iron present in these beans helps in the process of respiration at the cellular level. This is done by the synthesis of hemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen to the cells.
- A good source of magnesium, lima beans helps relieve fatigue, by promoting the relaxation of muscles, nerves and blood vessels. This is very essential for relieving the symptoms of asthma, muscle soreness & even migraine headaches.
- The beans also have high levels of the trace mineral, copper. Copper is essential to reduce the risk of inflammatory conditions like RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) and promotes certain enzymatic actions as well, which are required to maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, ligaments and joints.
- A good source of molybdenum, lima beans help in the process of detoxification of sulfites from the blood.
