Why Don’t You Eat Beans?

You know they’re good for you. But, you still won’t eat them. Yes, we learn songs about it as children that would discourage any bean lover from eating them. Yes, they make us feel a little gassy. A recent Reuter’s story refuting Johannesburg’s Dry Bean Producers Organizations claims to the contrary goes as far as to say “every 1- year old kid knows that” beans produce gas. However, the musical and smelly effects can be eliminated with just a little effort.

In reality, this rich, “good carbohydrate source” that helps the body to reduce cancers, promote regularity, control weight, and regulates blood sugar is not the culprit of the gaseous disorder at all. The “Skinny on Beans” found on Discovery.com reveals that the gas is actually caused by “a family of sugars called oligosaccharides” found in beans and other foods with similar reputations. These complex sugars pass unmolested through the small intestine and enter the large intestine still bearing valuable nutrients” where they are attacked by bacteria that lets out gas as they consume the sugars that remained in tact through the early stages of digestion. So don’t blame the beans for the gas, the culprit is really the bacteria in the large intestines.

Regardless of the source of the gas, it can still be avoided, or at least controlled, allowing you painless and odor free nutrition. According to the CDC, “you can minimize the gaseous effect” by changing the soaking water several times when you prepare dried beans, or switching to canned beans,” Gas elimination products like Beano will also allow you to eat beans without any side effects.

So eat those healthy, and often tasty beans to your hearts content. They are available in many shapes and forms with unlimited preparation options.