Lima bean vs. Fava beans — 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

Lima bean

3

Protein: 7.8 g

Fats: 0.38 g

Carbs: 20.88 g

Water: 69.79 g

Other: 1.15 g

Fava beans

2

Protein: 7.6 g

Fats: 0.4 g

Carbs: 19.65 g

Water: 71.54 g

Other: 0.81 g

Contains more OtherOther

+42%

~equal in Protein ~7.6g

~equal in Fats ~0.4g

~equal in Carbs ~19.65g

~equal in Water ~71.54g

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.

Lima bean

5

Fava beans

3

Contains more PotassiumPotassium	+89.6%
Contains more IronIron	+59.3%
Contains less SodiumSodium	-60%
Contains more ManganeseManganese	+22.6%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium	+73.1%

Contains more CalciumCalcium	+111.8%
Contains more CopperCopper	+10.2%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus	+12.6%

~equal in Magnesium ~43mg

~equal in Zinc ~1.01mg

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.

Lima bean

4

Fava beans

6

Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E	+800%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1	+66%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5	+168.8%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6	+123.6%

Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2	+61.8%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3	+68.9%
Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K	+45%
Contains more FolateFolate	+25.3%

~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg

~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0µg

~equal in Choline ~30.6mg

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.