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Lima Bean Powder

Also known as: Lima bean, Butter bean, Lima bean powder, Phaseolus lunatus

Overview

Lima bean powder is derived from the dried and ground seeds of Phaseolus lunatus, a legume recognized for its rich nutritional profile, including high protein, dietary fiber, and essential minerals. It is utilized as a nutritional supplement and a functional food ingredient, offering potential benefits such as anti-inflammatory effects and growth regulation. Key characteristics include its substantial content of protein, fiber, and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, and zinc. Additionally, it contains bioactive molecules such as L(-)-pipecolinic acid and trigonelline, which are thought to contribute to its observed effects. While compositional analyses and some animal studies suggest promising applications, high-quality human clinical trials specifically on lima bean powder supplementation are currently limited, indicating that much of the evidence is still emerging and requires further validation.

Benefits

Research, primarily from animal models, suggests several potential benefits of lima bean powder. In malnourished rats, supplementation significantly improved body weight gain, serum albumin, and total protein levels. It also regulated the expression of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), indicating a role in growth regulation and addressing malnutrition. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory effects were observed in the liver tissue of these rats, suggesting a systemic reduction in inflammation. Nutritional analyses show that incorporating lima bean powder as a flour substitute significantly increases dietary fiber (both soluble and insoluble) and mineral content, which can support digestive health and micronutrient intake. While these findings are promising, it is crucial to note that most data are derived from animal studies, and human clinical evidence is currently lacking. Therefore, the applicability and effect sizes in human populations, particularly for specific conditions or populations, are not yet established.

How it works

Lima bean powder's mechanism of action appears to involve the modulation of the pituitary-liver axis, influencing growth and metabolic pathways by regulating growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) at both cellular and mRNA levels. Its anti-inflammatory properties are likely attributed to bioactive compounds such as L(-)-pipecolinic acid and trigonelline, which are known to modulate inflammatory pathways. The high dietary fiber content also contributes to its effects by promoting gut health, which can indirectly influence systemic inflammation and metabolic regulation. However, the specific absorption and bioavailability of these bioactive compounds in humans require further investigation.

Side effects

Currently, there are no direct human safety data from high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) specifically on lima bean powder supplementation. Raw lima beans naturally contain lectins and cyanogenic glycosides, which are antinutritional factors that require proper processing, such as heat treatment, to reduce their levels and prevent toxicity. However, lima bean powder intended for consumption as a food ingredient or supplement is typically processed to ensure these compounds are significantly reduced or eliminated. No common or rare side effects have been reported in the reviewed animal studies. Furthermore, the existing literature does not document any known drug interactions or contraindications for lima bean powder. Despite the lack of reported adverse effects, the overall human safety profile remains to be comprehensively established through dedicated clinical research.

Dosage

Specific human dosing guidelines for lima bean powder are not established due to the absence of clinical trials. Animal studies have utilized lima bean flour at 25% and 50% of the diet, but these percentages do not directly translate to human supplement dosages. The optimal human dosage, timing of administration, and the most effective form of lima bean powder (e.g., whole powder, extract) are currently unknown. It is important to consider that processing methods significantly affect the nutritional content and the levels of anti-nutritional factors in lima beans; therefore, proper heat treatment is recommended to ensure safety when consuming lima bean products. Without human clinical data, there are no established upper limits or safety thresholds for human consumption of lima bean powder as a supplement.

FAQs

Is lima bean powder safe for human consumption?

Lima bean powder is generally considered safe when properly processed to reduce natural toxins. However, human clinical safety data are currently limited, and more research is needed to fully establish its safety profile.

Does lima bean powder aid weight loss or metabolic health?

There is no direct human evidence to support weight loss or specific metabolic health benefits from lima bean powder. While some related legumes show such effects, this is not established for lima bean powder.

What benefits can be expected from lima bean powder?

Potential benefits include nutritional support through its protein, fiber, and mineral content, and anti-inflammatory effects, primarily based on promising findings from animal studies. Human benefits require further confirmation.

How long does it take to see effects from lima bean powder?

The time frame to observe effects in humans is unknown. Animal studies suggest measurable changes in growth and inflammation markers over several weeks, but this cannot be directly extrapolated to humans.

Research Sources

https://d-nb.info/1354834429/34 – This animal study investigated the effects of lima bean flour supplementation (25-50%) in malnourished rats. It found significant improvements in body weight, serum proteins, and regulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), along with reduced liver inflammation. The study suggests potential benefits for growth and anti-inflammatory responses, though it is limited by its small sample size and animal model.
https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=108597 – This research focused on the nutritional analysis of lima bean powder when incorporated into food products like biscuits. It demonstrated that substituting with lima bean powder significantly increased the protein, dietary fiber, and mineral content of the food items. This study provides compositional data but does not offer clinical outcomes or human health benefits.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5188409/ – This systematic review examined the effects of white kidney bean extract, a related legume, on weight loss. It concluded that white kidney bean extract showed modest weight loss effects, likely due to alpha-amylase inhibition. While relevant to legumes, this study's findings are not directly applicable to lima bean powder due to species differences and distinct mechanisms of action.