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What is Fava Bean Protein?

What is Fava Bean Protein?

When we think about dietary protein sources, we think about meats, eggs, or dairy products.

Raise your hand if you also think bread boosts the protein levels in your sandwich, hot dog, or burrito?


Fava bean protein is a key ingredient in Hero Bread products. When coupled with wheat protein, fava bean protein:

  • Give Hero Bread an extra protein boost
  • Packs a mean essential-amino-acid punch


What is Fava Bean Protein?


Getting protein in your diet is essential for good health, and dietary protein is what helps your body repair cells and make new ones.

For people who want to get protein without having to eat meat, plant-based protein (meatless) options are all the rage. Fava bean protein is one such plant-based protein.

While some vegetarian-based protein options are popular, others—like fava bean protein—might be lesser known.

Fava Bean Protein and Wheat Protein—An Essential Amino Acid ‘Superpower’


Lennon and McCartney … Soap and Water … Sunday and Brunch.

Sometimes wonderful things happen when you pair two things together.

You can now add fava bean protein and wheat protein to that list.

Bear with us as we explain.

Your body has thousands of different proteins, and each protein has an important job to do.

Amino acids are the building blocks of these proteins.

Your body needs 20 different kinds of amino acids to function correctly. Nine of these amino acids are called “essential amino acids.” These are amino acids that the human body doesn’t make on its own.The only way you can get essential amino acids is through food and supplements.

See the bottom of this post for the full list of the nine essential amino acids.

The fava bean protein in Hero Bread is abundant in these essential amino acids. One of the essential amino acids fava bean protein contains is lysine, which is involved in the production of hormones and energy.

Fava bean protein nicely companions with wheat protein because wheat protein contains some amount of all the essential amino acids. Wheat protein, however, is a little light on lysine. When you couple wheat protein with lysine-rich fava bean protein, all of a sudden you have an essential amino acid match made in heaven.

What Are the Health Benefits of Fava Bean Protein?


Fava beans are:

In addition to its high-protein content and well-balanced amino acid profile, fava beans contain bioactive constituents with health-enhancing properties.

Fights Inflammation and Free Radicals

Fava bean tannins have demonstrated higher antioxidant activities—such as free radical scavenging and iron-reducing capacity—than low molecular weight phenolic compounds.

Fava beans contain potent plant compounds and antioxidants that lower inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

Health for Your Heart and Blood-Glucose Levels

Fava bean protein is considered appropriate for people with diabetes, and can protect against heart disease and reduce blood-glucose levels.

Does Hero Bread Have Fava Bean Protein?

Whether it is sliced bread for sandwiches, hot dog or hamburger buns, or tortillas for fajitas, tacos, and burritos, Hero Bread has between 5 and 11 grams of protein per slice thanks in part to its ingredient: fava bean protein. If you are looking for a bread that can boost the protein levels of your sandwich, wrap, or quesadilla, Hero Bread has plenty of options.

You can also find recipes that use our delicious baked goods for a little inspiration.


Nine Essential Amino Acids Your Body Can Only Get From Foods

  • Lysine—involved in the production of hormones and energy
  • Leucine—helps your body make protein and growth hormones
  • Isoleucine— involved with your body’s muscle metabolism and immune function
  • Threonine—plays an important role in the proteins that provide structure to your skin and connective tissue. They also help with forming blood clots, which help prevent bleeding.
  • Histidine—plays an important role in your body’s immune function, digestion, and sleep function.
  • Phenylalanine— is needed for the production of your brain’s chemical messengers, including dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine.
  • Valine—involved in muscle growth, tissue regeneration and making energy.
  • Methionine—helps with your body’s tissue growth, metabolism and detoxification.
  • Tryptophan—helps maintain your body’s correct nitrogen balance. It also helps make a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) called serotonin. Serotonin regulates your mood, appetite and sleep.