Broad beans could be the cure for Britain’s depression, says a Cambridge research scientist

Nadia Mohd-Radzman is a dedicated botanist. A Cambridge University researcher wants the UK to recognize the wonders of a crop he believes could change the country’s lifestyle. That’s why he’s campaigning – for broad beans.

Vicia faba it has many unique features, he argues. It is rich in protein, fiber and iron, for example. More importantly, it contains chemicals associated with lasting improvements in mood and mood in those who consume it, Mohd-Radzman said. The observer.

For these reasons, Britain should recognize the importance of a legume that has been neglected for a very long time, says the scientist, who recently started a campaign to strengthen the broad beans of Britain. This will include measures to improve its varieties, the publication of recipes to make the beans tasty and the organization of talks and exhibitions to explain the benefits of the crop that is not appreciated.

He says: “Broad beans can help people in this country a lot if they were encouraged to eat them.” “And that is my mission. It makes the country love broad beans.”

Broad beans were first cultivated in the Middle East but have been cultivated in Britain since the Iron Age. Around 740,000 tonnes are harvested each year from around 170,000 hectares of UK land.

Mohd-Radzman, a researcher at Sainsbury’s laboratory added: “However, most of the crops are used for animal feed, the rest is sent to Egypt, where they are used to make falafels, instead of peas . Cambridge. “We should use it ourselves.”

Nor is it Mohd-Radzman’s grand campaign to get Britons to eat more. Vicia faba. Scientists at the University of Reading have recently suggested that Britain should switch to eating bread made from it because the final product will last longer and will make it easier to deliver essential nutrients to people.

However, it is the compound levodopa, or L-dopa, that is of particular interest to Mohd-Radzman, who also works at King’s College Cambridge’s Entrepreneurship Lab. It is used in the treatment of people with Parkinson’s – and broad beans have high levels of the compound.

“The bottom line is that L-dopa has been shown to be very effective in treating a condition known as anhedonia, which is basically the inability to feel or experience pleasure. That’s why I believe that broad beans they are important.

“We have a huge problem with an increasing number of young people with mental health problems in the UK today, and helping them to eat the right and healthy foods will be important to tackle this. Naoa wide will be our first line of attack.”

Working with the William Templeton Foundation for Youth Mental Health, Mohd-Radzman is focused on finding affordable and accessible ways to improve nutrition. “Broad beans are cheap and easy to find and have good results, which is why I recommend them in lectures and demonstrations.”

Broad beans come with a checkered history, however. It is also known as the fava bean, and under this name it was associated by the ancient Greeks with death and decay. The mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras ordered his followers not to eat them.

Another reason for this unpopularity is the fact that eating fava beans can cause a disease called favism in a small number of vulnerable people in Mediterranean countries and the Middle East. These people may have a blood disorder known as haemolytic anaemia.

“Obviously it’s an issue that has to be looked at,” said Mohd-Radzman. Another solution is to find a variety of beans that have a low level of chemicals that are arousing to susceptible people. However, the real solution is to make genetically modified versions using Crispr technology and without chemicals that produce feedback – and that’s what we started working on. “

Meanwhile, Mohd-Radzman continues to find more ways to incorporate broad beans into our diet. “You can make milk with them. You can fry them with salt. You can even boil them with chilli to make a paste like kimchi. You can make a salad with them or mix them with chorizo​​​​. You can do all kinds of things with broad beans. They are incredibly adaptable. ”