Fava beans vs. Lima bean — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Taste 

Lima beans are smooth and creamy with a nutty flavor after cooking. Fava beans have a sweeter flavor than lima beans. In comparison, fava beans can be eaten raw or cooked, and they have a different flavor profile when it's cooked or not. 

Calories

Lima beans contain 115 b, and fava beans contain 110 calories. They have similar amounts. 

Carbs

They have nearly equal amounts of carbs. Approximately 20g for each. 

Fiber

They are both excellent sources of fiber. 

Lima beans are richer in fiber than fava beans. Lima beans contain 7.4g of fiber, and fava beans contain 5g. 

Protein 

They have similar amounts of proteins, about 7.7g for each. 

Fats

Their fat content is negligible.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Fava beans

2

:

3

Lima bean

Contains more Other +42%

Equal in Protein - 7.8

Equal in Fats - 0.38

Equal in Carbs - 20.88

Equal in Water - 69.79

Fava beans

Protein: 7.6 g

Fats: 0.4 g

Carbs: 19.65 g

Water: 71.54 g

Other: 0.81 g

Lima bean

Protein: 7.8 g

Fats: 0.38 g

Carbs: 20.88 g

Water: 69.79 g

Other: 1.15 g

Contains more Other +42%

Equal in Protein - 7.8

Equal in Fats - 0.38

Equal in Carbs - 20.88

Equal in Water - 69.79

To read more about different types of bean comparisons, you can read about navy bean vs. green bean or kidney bean vs. pigeon bean. 

Minerals

Lima beans are richer in manganese, potassium, and iron. In comparison, fava beans are richer in copper and phosphorus. 

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Fava beans

4

:

5

Lima bean

Contains more Calcium +111.8%

Contains more Phosphorus +12.6%

Contains more Copper +10.2%

Contains more Iron +59.3%

Contains more Potassium +89.6%

Contains less Sodium -60%

Contains more Manganese +22.6%

Contains more Selenium +73.1%

Equal in Magnesium - 43

Equal in Zinc - 0.95

Equal in Copper - 0.235

Fava beans

Lima bean

Contains more Calcium +111.8%

Contains more Phosphorus +12.6%

Contains more Copper +10.2%

Contains more Iron +59.3%

Contains more Potassium +89.6%

Contains less Sodium -60%

Contains more Manganese +22.6%

Contains more Selenium +73.1%

Equal in Magnesium - 43

Equal in Zinc - 0.95

Equal in Copper - 0.235

Vitamins 

Lima beans are richer in vitamins B1, B5, and B6. In comparison, fava beans are richer in vitamins B2 and folate. 

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Fava beans

6

:

4

Lima bean

Contains more Vitamin A +∞%

Contains more Vitamin C +∞%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +61.8%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +68.9%

Contains more Folate +25.3%

Contains more Vitamin K +45%

Contains more Vitamin E +800%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +66%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +168.8%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +123.6%

Fava beans

Lima bean

Contains more Vitamin A +∞%

Contains more Vitamin C +∞%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +61.8%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +68.9%

Contains more Folate +25.3%

Contains more Vitamin K +45%

Contains more Vitamin E +800%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +66%

Contains more Vitamin B5 +168.8%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +123.6%

Digestion

Section reviewed by gastroenterologist Arpi Gasparyan

Both beans are a rich source of fiber; however, since they are richer in fiber, lima beans are ideal legumes to add to our diets. A high-fiber diet decreases the risks of colorectal cancer and diverticular disease and improves gut microbiome and bowel movements. (1)(2)(3)

Unlike lima beans, fava beans are high in FODMAPs, poorly digested carbs that may cause bloating, gases, and abdominal pain.  People with IBS or on a low FODMAP diet should avoid fava beans. 

G6P deficiency patients 

Individuals with G6P deficiency should not consume fava beans since they induce a hemolytic attack. Foods that are often cooked with fava beans should be restricted, falafel is more often done with fava beans, and this should be restricted. (5)

Cyanogenic glycosides

It is important to cook and properly prepare lima beans because they contain toxic cyanogenic glycosides in humans. By thoroughly cooking lima beans, this toxin is eliminated. (6)
Fava beans can be eaten raw; they do not contain cyanogenic glycosides.