Lima beans are quite popular in the United States of America.The lima bean is scientifically known as ‘Phaseolus lunatus’. The meaning of the latter half of the name, ’lunatus’, is ‘half-moon,’ which is a reference to the lima bean’s shape.A lima bean is also called a butter bean, sugar bean, chad bean, Java bean, sieva bean, double bean, Madagascar bean, large white bean, and Burma bean. Lima bean is part of the legume family, and these beans are cream or pale-green colored. Read on to explore more interesting facts about lima beans.Facts About Lima BeansLima beans are differentiated from other beans and legumes through distinctive features. Read on to discover some fascinating facts about lima beans.Lima, Peru’s capital city, is where these beans get their name.The life cycle of lima beans involves four distinct stages, namely, seeds, germination, baby plant, and mature plant.Lima-bean seeds are protected with a hard layer known as the outer coat.Experts state that the origin of lima beans lies in Peru and Guatemala.These countries have grown lima beans for more than 7,000 years.Some people believe the introduction of lima beans in South America took place after Columbus discovered America; however, it has been proven that lima beans are a pre-Columbian crop.Cultivation of lima beans began in South America in around 6000 BC.There are two main growing patterns when it comes to lima bean plants: bush and pole patterns.Bush lima beans are also popularly called butter beans.Bush-lima-bean plants bear pods quickly and have small seeds.Varieties of bush bean include Henderson, Dixie Butterpea, and Fordhook 242.Pole lima beans, on the other hand, have a longer period of growth and larger seeds.Potato limas is another name used for referring to pole beans.Big mama, Christmas, and sieva are some varieties of pole lima beans.The green pods seen on mature lima plants are fruits of the plant.These green pods have a flat, oblong appearance with a slight curve.The kidney-shaped seeds inside the pods are what we call lima beans.Lima Bean Festival is held annually in October in West Cape May, New Jersey.Baby lima bean and Fordhook are the most popular lima beans in the United States.Small, large, and dwarf beans are the three principal varieties of lima beans, according to Oklahoma State University.Due to regulations and small crops, it is hard to find fresh lima beans in the United States.These beans can be dried, canned, and frozen for storage purposes.In the United States, lima beans are still popularly consumed; however, recent surveys find their per capita consumption has reduced in the past five years.Lima Bean’s BenefitsHave you been interested in learning more about these healthy beans? Read on to find out more about their many health benefits. Lima beans have a high nutritional value in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.According to FoodData Central, a single cup of about 6 oz (0.17 kg) of cooked lima beans contains 209 calories, 1.41 oz (0.04 kg) carbs, and a small amount of fat.The same serving of cooked lima beans also contains protein, fiber, copper, manganese, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, thiamin, vitamin B6, and vitamin C.Lima beans have a high amount of manganese that plays a key role in healthy metabolism.This mineral also acts as an antioxidant which is a substance that hinders the oxidation process, which produces free radicals that are known to cause damage to an organism’s skin.Some studies suggest that copper and vitamin C present in lima beans can boost the immune system.Research shows that adding lima beans to your diet can help improve blood-sugar levels, due to their high-fiber content.Some scientists have also found that legumes, such as lima beans, can aid in reducing fasting blood-sugar levels as well as help to increase blood-sugar control among type-2 diabetic people.Lima beans contain soluble fiber which, according to some research, can decrease inflammation, lower high-blood-pressure levels, and reduce cholesterol to a certain extent. These improvements can thus reduce the risk of developing heart disease.Some studies also suggest that consuming lima beans may aid in weight loss, reduce anemia, maintain energy levels, assist bone health, and eliminate muscle pain.The presence of fiber in lima beans may also help with improving digestive health and easing bowel movements.Lima Bean’s Culinary UsesInterested in the health benefits of lima beans but not sure how to incorporate them into your diet? Read on for more fascinating facts about the lima bean which is well tolerated by most people. Some varied recipes in which lima beans can be incorporated are listed as follows.Adding lima beans to Brunswick stew, which is made of corn, red-skin potatoes, chicken, and tomato broth, can improve flavor.The same technique used for making creamed spinach can also be used to make creamed lima-bean dishes.Cream and butter can be mixed with frozen or canned beans to create a silk-textured recipe.Succotash is a colorful dish made by mixing tomatoes, corn, fresh lima beans, as well as okra.People who do not like the taste of boiled okra can add roasted okra to a dish.Another delicious, healthy recipe containing lima beans is lima-bean soup with ham and vegetables.Dried lima beans must be soaked and cooked before adding to a soup.Lima beans make a great dip, which can also be a substitute for guacamole. Lima-bean dip is made by creating a paste of lima beans, which is then mixed with cumin, sazon goya seasoning, and lime juice.This creamy and buttery dip can go well with pita and tortilla chips. You can also use it as a spread for a vegetable pizza, toast, or sandwiches.Baby lima beans cooked with diced ham or ham bone, onion, and Cajun seasoning in a slow cooker for a few hours can be a dish with a distinctly southern flavor. The beans for this dish must be soaked overnight before they are cooked.Solterito corn and lima-bean salad is a Peruvian salad made by combining salty olives, zesty red onion, creamy lima beans, queso Fresca with red-wine vinaigrette, and spicy chile.Lima beans also make an excellent addition in a pasta salad.You can also take a separate lima-bean salad and a pasta dish and plate them together for a great result.Lima Bean’s Side-EffectsDid you find the recipes for Lina beans useful? Well, it’s best to note that, as with many foods, while there are many health benefits of eating lima beans, there are some possible downsides to it, too. Some of the disadvantages and side-effects of consuming lima beans are listed below.People with an allergy to legumes or the soy present in them must avoid eating lima beans as it can trigger allergic reactions, which may range between mild and severe.According to Oregon State University, raw lima beans carry cyanogenic glycosides like linamarin. These compounds release cyanide when the plant is damaged to protect it. Consuming raw beans can thus be dangerous if the cyanide is also consumed with it.Lima beans, therefore, must be cooked before they are eaten so that toxic enzymes are killed in the process.These beans may also be soaked in water for some duration or frozen before they are cooked to further reduce the risk of cyanide poisoning.Like many other legumes, a lima bean also contains antinutrients that may hinder the proper absorption of various minerals in the human body.Overeating lima beans can increase fiber intake, which can cause stomach pain, bloating, and gas. Drinking lots of water after consuming lima beans can help reduce the chances of developing these negative side effects.Consuming lima beans or any other legumes well after the expiration period can also cause various health-related issues.
Lima beans are quite popular in the United States of America.
