Nutritional values & Health benefits - Broad beans, also known as Fava beans,are incredibly nutritious and an excellent source of soluble fiber, protein, folate, manganese, copper and several other micro-nutrients. These are rich in L-dopa, which your body converts to dopamine. Since Parkinson’s disease is characterized by low dopamine levels, eating Fava beans may help with symptoms. This may be a winning combination for weight loss. Broad beans are also rich in both folate and B vitamins, which we need for nerve and blood cell development, cognitive function and energy. Beneficial for Bone Health. Eating iron-rich broad beans may help with symptoms of anemia.