During the Bronze Age, around 1,500 BC, the plant was distributed north of the Alps, where it represented one of the most important food plants until the beginning of modern times. Today, it has achieved a wide distribution throughout the temperate regions of the world and is one of the most important winter crops for human consumption in the Middle East. Affected individuals can experience hemolytic anemia, fever, jaundice, or even death. During the Korean War, doctors made the connection between G6PD and the hemolytic effects of anti-malarial drugs. The favism-inducing toxins are believed to be divicine and isouramil, the aglycone moieties of vicine and convicine.
Favism is the most common human enzyme deficiency.
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