Phaseolus lunatus (Phaseolus lunatus): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Phaseolus lunatus help lower blood sugar?

Phaseolus lunatus may help manage blood sugar through its high fiber and protein content, which slow glucose absorption and improve satiety. The seeds contain compounds that may influence carbohydrate metabolism, though the exact mechanism is not fully established. Evidence for antidiabetic effects is limited to Level C (preclinical and traditional use). Clinical trials in humans are lacking, so more research is needed to confirm these effects.

Does Phaseolus lunatus interact with diabetes medications?

Phaseolus lunatus has no documented drug interactions in clinical literature. However, because it may lower blood sugar when consumed regularly, theoretical interactions with antidiabetic medications like metformin or insulin are possible. Patients taking diabetes medications should monitor blood glucose levels when adding Phaseolus lunatus to their diet and consult a healthcare provider. Evidence Level: C (theoretical based on mechanism).

How much Phaseolus lunatus can I eat safely?

Phaseolus lunatus should be consumed as a food in typical dietary amounts when fully cooked. There is no standardized medicinal dosage established. As a legume, a serving of 1/2 to 1 cup of cooked beans is commonly consumed. Raw or undercooked beans should never be eaten due to cyanogenic compounds. Evidence Level: Traditional use as food source.

Is Phaseolus lunatus safe during pregnancy?

Yes, Phaseolus lunatus is considered safe during pregnancy when consumed as a properly cooked food. The beans provide beneficial nutrients including protein, fiber, iron, and potassium that support maternal health. However, raw or undercooked beans must be avoided due to cyanogenic compounds that could harm the developing fetus. Evidence Level: Traditional use as food; no specific pregnancy studies available.

Why are raw lima beans poisonous?

Raw Phaseolus lunatus seeds contain linamarin, a cyanogenic glycoside that releases hydrogen cyanide when the plant tissue is damaged or digested. Cyanide interferes with cellular respiration and can cause symptoms including headache, dizziness, nausea, and in severe cases, respiratory failure. Thorough cooking degrades these compounds and makes the beans safe. Evidence Level: A (well-established toxicological principle).

How do you cook Phaseolus lunatus to remove toxins?

Phaseolus lunatus must be thoroughly cooked to eliminate cyanogenic compounds. Soak dried beans for several hours, discard the soaking water, then boil in fresh water for at least 10-30 minutes until fully tender. Never use slow cookers or low-heat methods for raw beans, as temperatures below boiling may not destroy the cyanide-releasing compounds. Evidence Level: Traditional preparation methods supported by food safety research.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 29 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Phaseolus lunatus, known as the lima bean, is a cultivated legume of high socioeconomic value and an important source of plant proteins for the human diet [PMID: 33736599, 41370435].

Contexte

Phaseolus lunatus is a member of the subfamily Phaseolinae in the Leguminosae family [PMID: 33736599]. It is a popular cultivated legume vegetable grown in regions such as the United States for canned or dry bean production [PMID: 30983522].

Composés actifs

The seeds of wild lima beans contain cyanogenic glycosides (CNGs) [PMID: 31240396]. The plant also contains a Bowman-Birk-type bifunctional serine protease inhibitor (LBTI) [PMID: 30372004], a cysteine proteinase inhibitor (CPI) [PMID: 11262065], and lectin-related proteins including amylase inhibitor-like (AIL) and arcelin-like (ARL) lectins [PMID: 11414617]. It produces volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and homoterpenes such as 4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT) and 4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene (TMTT) [PMID: 19424497, 40551621].

Mécanisme d'action

Peptide fractions isolated from lima bean protein via enzymatic hydrolysis have demonstrated in vitro inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system, specifically acting as ACE-inhibitors and renin-inhibitors [PMID: 28707727].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DArterial Hypertension

Peptide fractions from lima bean protein showed in vitro ACE-inhibitory and renin-inhibitory activities, and antihypertensive activity was confirmed in vivo using a rat model [PMID: 28707727]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Lima beans are limited by the presence of antinutritional content [PMID: 40565732]. Wild lima bean seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which release toxic hydrogen cyanide [PMID: 19424497, 31240396].

Synthèse des preuves

The available evidence is primarily based on plant biology, genomic sequencing, and in vitro or animal-model biochemical studies; there are no human clinical trials provided.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 30372004 (2006) — Insight into the structural basis of the dual inhibitory mode of Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) serine protease inhibitor. · Proteins
2.PMID: 37683050 (2024) — Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus Linn.) protein isolate as a promising plant protein mixed with xanthan gum for stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions. · Journal of the science of food and agriculture
3.PMID: 26151849 (2015) — Transcriptome Sequencing of Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus) to Identify Putative Positive Selection in Phaseolus and Legumes. · International journal of molecular sciences
4.PMID: 30364341 (2018) — Resistance of Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) to the Red Spider Mite Tetranychus neocaledonicus (Acari: Tetranychidae). · Frontiers in plant science
5.PMID: 31240396 (2019) — Role of cyanogenic glycosides in the seeds of wild lima bean, Phaseolus lunatus: defense, plant nutrition or both?

Phaseolus lunatus

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Phaseolus lunatus

Sesbania grandiflora

Kayu Manis Jamu

Balanites Aegyptiaca

Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Phaseolus lunatus

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Phaseolus lunatus

Plantes associées

Sesbania grandiflora

Kayu Manis Jamu

Balanites Aegyptiaca

Questions fréquentes

Résumé

Contexte

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales