[Sca-cooks] A Bean is a bean

[Terry Decker]

I believe you are referring to favism.  It is not a true allergy but the 
result of a genetic deficiency (low production of a metabolic enzyeme), 
which, at it's most extreme reaction, can cause brain damage and death. 
There are varying degrees to the deficiency and it is most common in ethnic 
groups from the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia affecting 
approximately 400 million people.  Since the same deficiency provides some 
protection against malaria, it is suspected that this is a natural 
adaptation for humans in malarial regions.

This doesn't preclude an actual allergy to favas, but that should be rarer.

Bear

----- Original Message ----- 

When I was doing my research for my book I discovered that a portion of the 
population is allergic to flava beans. Anyone else heard of this too?
Aelina