fava beans
Legumes/Pulses
Trigger checker for fava beans
See fava beans rated across every trigger — FODMAP, histamine, salicylate, oxalate, tyramine and more — plus diet compatibility, all in one quick ingredient profile.
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Serving size, prep, and portion notes for fava beans
Fava beans carry a genuine safety warning that most foods do not: in people with G6PD deficiency, the most common enzyme deficiency worldwide, eating fava beans can trigger favism, an acute breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia). The beans contain vicine and convicine, compounds that create oxidative stress the G6PD-deficient body cannot buffer. On top of that, fava beans are one of the highest-FODMAP legumes, topping the scale for galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), and are high in nickel.
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Favism risk: in G6PD deficiency, the vicine and convicine in fava beans can trigger hemolytic anemia, with jaundice, dark or cola-coloured urine, fatigue and shortness of breath appearing 1 to 3 days after eating them. This is a medical emergency, not an intolerance / Highest galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) rating and top-of-scale total FODMAPs, so fava beans bloat a sensitive gut even in small portions / High in nickel, relevant for systemic nickel allergy / High in lectins, so they must be cooked thoroughly
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FAQ
What does the FODMAP rating mean for fava beans?
High FODMAP: consider smaller servings or swap within the same group.
Is fava beans generally well tolerated?
FODMAPs (Avoid) and GOS (Avoid) Start with those if you react.
What should I check next?
Compare within the Legumes/Pulses group.