Physiological function of antinutritional factors in broad beans

People have always been trying to remove the antinutritional factors in broad beans such as proanthocyanidins, phytic acid, phytohemagglutinin, proteinase inhibitor, which were traditionally considered as something not good for nutrient absorption. However, as life gets better, people suffer all kinds of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia for overnutrition. Recent researches showed that some antinutritional factors in broad beans were proved to have biological functions such as antioxidant activity, antitumor effect, hypoglycemic effect and prevent obesity effect. They were good for human health when taken appropriately and should be reevaluated and exploited for further utilization.