Science on Sundays – Broad ’n Mind: Broad beans for improved mental and planetary health

Dr Nadia Mohd-Radzman, Sainsbury Laboratory

Broad beans or fava beans have unique properties that can tremendously benefit our mental health and promote sustainable agriculture. Beginning with a brief historical journey, we will uncover how this ancient legume has nourished societies for centuries before exploring its renewed relevance today. We will then delve into the role of broad beans as a sustainable, protein-rich crop and a promising functional food to improve our mental health. Finally, the talk will highlight how plant biotechnology can unlock new possibilities for improving broad beans by enhancing their nutritional benefits while strengthening their environmental resilience in a changing climate.

Science on Sundays is a programme of free, informal, monthly plant science talks taking place from March to August in the Botanic Garden. The series aims to bring the latest discoveries in plant science, as well as research linked to the plant collection at the Garden, to our visitors in a 30 minute nutshell.