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Fava bean and buckwheat are sustainable food sources which support satiety and beneficially modulate several biomarkers, bacteria and metabolites associated with human health.

  • 2025-06-07
  • European journal of nutrition 64(5)
    • Madalina Neacsu
    • Marietta Sayegh
    • Nicholas J Vaughan
    • Gary J Duncan
    • Louise Cantlay
    • Susan Anderson
    • Donna Henderson
    • Claire Fyfe
    • Freda Farquharson
    • Salifu Saibu
    • Graham Horgan
    • Petra Louis
    • Alexandra M Johnstone
    • Wendy R Russell

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 14
Population
Twenty healthy volunteers (n = 6 men, n = 14 women; 42.08 ± 12.12 years; body mass index 24.72 ± 4.69 kg/m2)
Methods
Randomised controlled crossover study consisting of two seven-day intervention periods, buckwheat- and fava bean-based diets were provided to meet individual volunteers resting metabolic rate requirements
Duration
seven-day intervention periods
  • Rigorous Journal

Background

The world's population requires adequate food supply, satisfying specific nutrient requirements to meet dietary recommendations, promote nutrition security and sustain health, while stimulating agriculture biodiversity. This study assessed the potential of buckwheat and fava bean to diversify the source of dietary nutrients.

Methods

Twenty healthy volunteers (n = 6 men, n = 14 women; 42.08 ± 12.12 years; body mass index 24.72 ± 4.69 kg/m2) were recruited in a randomised controlled crossover study consisting of two seven-day intervention periods, buckwheat- and fava bean-based diets were provided to meet individual volunteers resting metabolic rate requirements. The study assessed subjective hunger and the impact of the diets on the gut microbiota composition and the plasma profiles of lipids, glucose, insulin, urea and homocysteine. Plasma, urine and faecal metabolites were also measured before and after consumption of each diet using targeted metabolomics (LC- and GC-MS).

Results

Both intervention diets were as satiating as the volunteers' habitual diets (p = 0.234). The fava bean diet significantly reduced fasted plasma glucose and insulin and increased plasma homocysteine (p < 0.05). Buckwheat diet decreased plasma homocysteine (p < 0.01) and increased plasma, urine and faecal concentrations of salicylic acid and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Both diets significantly increased plasma non-esterified fatty acids values, reduced plasma urea and faecal deoxycholic acid concentrations (p < 0.05). The fava bean diet provided significantly higher amounts of dietary fibre (both in comparison with habitual and buckwheat diet) significantly increasing the urine indole-3-propionic acid concentration (p < 0.01) (Day 0 vs. Day 7) and the faecal, plasma and urine indole-3-propionic acid concentrations (p < 0.01) (on Day 7 buckwheat vs. Day 7 fava bean diet). Furthermore, the fava bean diet promoted the growth of the gut bacterium Coprococcus eutactus (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Buckwheat and fava bean contribute in a sustainable way to meet dietary recommendations and to promote dietary diversification. Diets rich in buckwheat and fava bean were found to be satiating and to beneficially modulate several biomarkers, bacteria and metabolites which are correlated with prevention of metabolic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Research Insights

  • Buckwheat→Reduced Homocysteine Level

    Buckwheat diet decreased plasma homocysteine (p < 0.01)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    diet provided to meet individual volunteers resting metabolic rate requirements
  • Buckwheat→Reduced Plasma Urea Level

    Both diets significantly increased plasma non-esterified fatty acids values, reduced plasma urea and faecal deoxycholic acid concentrations (p < 0.05)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    diet provided to meet individual volunteers resting metabolic rate requirements
  • Buckwheat→Reduced Subjective Hunger

    Both intervention diets were as satiating as the volunteers' habitual diets (p = 0.234)

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    diet provided to meet individual volunteers resting metabolic rate requirements
  • fava bean→Improved Fasting Plasma Glucose

    The fava bean diet significantly reduced fasted plasma glucose and insulin

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    diet provided to meet individual volunteers resting metabolic rate requirements
  • fava bean→Improved Insulin Levels

    The fava bean diet significantly reduced fasted plasma glucose and insulin

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    diet provided to meet individual volunteers resting metabolic rate requirements
  • fava bean→Increased Homocysteine Level

    The fava bean diet significantly reduced fasted plasma glucose and insulin and increased plasma homocysteine (p < 0.05)

    Effect
    Harmful
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    diet provided to meet individual volunteers resting metabolic rate requirements
  • fava bean→Reduced Plasma Urea Level

    Both diets significantly increased plasma non-esterified fatty acids values, reduced plasma urea and faecal deoxycholic acid concentrations (p < 0.05)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    diet provided to meet individual volunteers resting metabolic rate requirements
  • fava bean→Reduced Subjective Hunger

    Both intervention diets were as satiating as the volunteers' habitual diets (p = 0.234)

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    diet provided to meet individual volunteers resting metabolic rate requirements
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