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Sesame Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans: What’s The Difference?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the sesame seeds vs broad (fava) beans comparison.
Esther Bumpus, Health Writer

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on March 21, 2023.

Although sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans belong to different food groups, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.

While sesame seeds belong to the nuts and seeds group, broad (fava) beans belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans, their nutritional values, similarities, differences, macronutrients, and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.

Generally speaking, foods from nuts and seeds group are usually higher in healthy fats and lower in carbs than legumes, but both are valuable addition to a plant-based diet.

Now, let’s see how sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans compare specifically.

Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum) are the seeds of the sesame plant, which is native to tropical regions of Africa and is now grown in many parts of the world.

These seeds have a slightly nutty and slightly sweet flavor, and are often used in a variety of dishes, including breads, pastries, and savory dishes.

Sesame seeds are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.

They are also a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

There are many ways to incorporate sesame seeds into your diet.

They can be eaten raw or roasted, and are often used as a topping for salads and other dishes.

Sesame seeds are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores.

If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious seed to add to your diet, consider giving sesame seeds a try.

They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.

Sesame Seeds is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Broad (Fava) Beans

Broad beans, also known as fava beans or faba beans (Vicia faba), are a type of legume native to North Africa and the Middle East.

They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content, as well as their mild, slightly sweet flavor.

Broad beans are also a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.

They can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, such as broad bean soup, dips such as Bigilla, and salads.

In addition to being a nutritious food, broad beans have been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.

They have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved blood sugar control, and may also help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

Broad (Fava) Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin K.

Sesame Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing sesame seeds vs broad (fava) beans.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Sesame SeedsBroad (Fava) Beans
Energy573 kcal341 kcal
Carbs23.45 g58.3 g
Sugar0.3 g5.7 g
Fiber11.8 g25 g
Protein17.73 g26.1 g
Fat49.67 g1.53 g
Saturated Fat6.957 g0.254 g

Sesame Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans Calories

Comparing broad (fava) beans vs sesame seeds for weight loss, broad (fava) beans are slightly lower in calories, with 341 calories per 100 grams, compared to 573 calories per 100 grams of sesame seeds.

However, both sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Sesame Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Broad (Fava) Beans offer around 32% more protein than sesame seeds.

Broad (Fava) Beans have 26.1 grams of protein per 100 grams, while sesame seeds has 17.7 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Sesame Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans Carbs

Counting carbs can be important for some people for different reasons, including blood sugar control, weight management, or athletic performance.

It’s also important for people on a keto diet, so let’s compare the carbs content in sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 60% higher in broad (fava) beans than in sesame seeds. They have 58.3 grams per 100 grams, compared to 23.5 grams in sesame seeds.

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There’s less sugar in sesame seeds than in broad (fava) beans, 94% precisely.

One handful of sesame seeds (28 grams) contains 0.1 grams of sugar, while the same amount of broad (fava) beans contains 1.6 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans.

Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.

With 7 grams of fiber per portion, broad (fava) beans are a better source of fiber than sesame seeds which offer 3.3 grams per portion.

Sesame Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans Fats

Fats in sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans:

  • Sesame Seeds: 49.7 grams per 100 grams
  • Broad (Fava) Beans: 1.5 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, broad (fava) beans are 96% lower in saturated fats.

Broad (Fava) Beans and sesame seeds contain 0.3 grams and 7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Sesame Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans.

Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.

Sesame Seeds has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, broad (fava) beans have a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin E.

Sesame Seeds and broad (fava) beans contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Sesame SeedsBroad (Fava) Beans
Vitamin A9 IU53 IU
Vitamin C01.4 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.791 mg0.555 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.247 mg0.333 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)4.515 mg2.83 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.05 mg0.976 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.79 mg0.366 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)97 µg423 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E0.25 mg0.05 mg
Vitamin K09 µg

Sesame Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans Minerals Content

Minerals are important for our body to function properly. We need only a small amount of minerals, so they are called micronutrients.

Some minerals, like iron, calcium, zinc or, iodine, are relatively hard to get on a plant-based diet, so it’s important to choose your foods thoughtfully. This part of the sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Sesame Seeds is a better source of fluoride, potassium, and sodium than broad (fava) beans.

On the other hand, broad (fava) beans are a higher amount of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.

Check out the table below to learn how sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans compare when it comes to mineral content.

Sesame SeedsBroad (Fava) Beans
Calcium975 mg103 mg
Copper4.082 mg0.824 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron14.55 mg6.7 mg
Magnesium351 mg192 mg
Manganese2.46 mg1.63 mg
Phosphorus629 mg421 mg
Potassium468 mg1060 mg
Selenium34.4 µg8.2 µg
Sodium11 mg13 mg
Zinc7.75 mg3.14 mg

The Final Word

Sesame Seeds and broad (fava) beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both sesame seeds and broad (fava) beans are high in specific vitamins and minerals, and including them in your diet will give you the most benefits they offer.

Antioxidants found in nuts, seeds and legumes can help to protect cells from damage and may reduce the risk of certain diseases and the effects of aging.

Additionally, the fiber and other nutrients in these foods can support the health of the digestive system and may even help to prevent certain digestive cancers.

Legumes, nuts and seeds are a versatile food that can be incorporated into any meal of the day, including breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They can be served hot or cold, making them a convenient and tasty addition to a variety of dishes.

Sources

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