Cambridge Researcher Advocates for Broader Adoption of Broad Beans in UK Diets

A researcher from Cambridge University is championing the broad bean, or fava bean, as a transformative crop for the UK’s health. Dr. Mohd-Radzman emphasizes the potential benefits of incorporating this ancient crop into the British diet, noting its long history in the region since the Iron Age. Despite its nutritional value, much of the broad bean harvest is currently allocated for animal feed or exported, particularly to Egypt for falafel production. Dr. Mohd-Radzman argues that the UK should prioritize domestic consumption of this versatile legume. The researcher highlights a pressing issue in the UK: the rising incidence of mental health problems among young people. She believes that promoting a healthy diet, including broad beans, could play a crucial role in addressing this crisis. Broad beans are not only affordable and accessible but also possess known health benefits. Dr. Mohd-Radzman is actively engaging the public through talks and demonstrations to raise awareness about the advantages of incorporating broad beans into everyday meals. In her efforts to make broad beans more appealing, Dr. Mohd-Radzman is exploring innovative solutions, including the development of low-favism varieties through genetic editing techniques like CRISPR. This approach aims to eliminate harmful chemicals that can affect susceptible individuals. Meanwhile, she continues to promote various culinary uses for broad beans, including making plant-based milk, to encourage their integration into modern diets.