Whether as a privacy screen, for later drying for seed production or for eating - runner beans should not be handled lightly.
Are runner beans poisonous and how can they be consumed safely?
Fieron beans contain toxic lectins such as phasin, which are dangerous to humans and animals. Just four raw beans can have toxic effects. These substances are destroyed by heating (from 75 °C) or fermentation and the runner beans become edible.
Toxic Lectins
The lectins it contains, including phasin in particular, have a toxic effect on both humans and animals such as dogs, cats, rodents and horses. Just four raw beans can cause toxic effects in an adult. These substances are destroyed by heating (from 75 °C) or fermentation. Then the runner beans are edible.
Symptoms of poisoning
Approximately half an hour to an hour after eating raw runner beans, depending on the severity, the following symptoms may occur:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- (bloody) diarrhea
- chills
- Cramps
- Colic
- Sweating
- dilated pupils
- increased body temperature
Tip
Some people are sensitive even to touching the plant. Your skin shows inflammation (so-called bean scabies). If you are one of these people, put on rubber or gardening gloves before coming into contact with runner beans!
