The subject was bound to come up. So, what about flatulence? (flatulence: excessive gas created in the stomach and intestines) How can you eliminate the uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing after-effects of eating beans?
The internet search I did to get to the bottom of it all revealed some interesting facts. I am by no means a medical authority, but let me share what I gleaned from my research.
Apparently, eating high fiber foods like beans can cause your body to produce gas. It is possible that a sudden increase in fiber may also aggrevate the problem, leading me to assume that continuing to eat a high fiber diet will eventually decrease the occurrence of gas.
The small intestine does not effectively digest a carbohydrate found in beans and other foods that tend to make people gassy. One source suggested that smaller beans may cause less gas. (I can only imagine how one measures such a thing!) This may very well be true as I have not noticed a gas problem after eating black beans even when I don't discard the soak water. Several articles I read said that beans that are cooked until very soft will not cause as much gas as those cooked for a lesser time.
I don't want to be long-winded on the subject, so let me simply share with you four suggestions for lessening the gassy after-effects of eating beans I found on ehow.com. The first, which details the best way to soak beans before cooking them, is the only one I've tried and it seems to work. I'll keep my eyes open for the epazote leaves that are referred to in suggestion number two, I've never tried Beano as mentioned in suggestion number three, and suggestion number four is just plain common sense.
1. Soak the beans overnight in filtered water. Drain the beans. Do not save the water. Rinse the beans under a steady stream of filtered water. Fill a pot 3/4 full with fresh filtered water. Add the beans, and prepare the beans as planned.
2. Add a handful of fresh epazote leaves while cooking the beans. Epazote is a plant found in Mexico. It is a seasoning that can reduce gas in beans. Find fresh epazote in supermarkets that specialize in Latin American foods, as well as health food stores and high-end supermarkets. The epazote leaves can be left in the beans, or removed before serving.
3. Take a Beano product before eating prepared dried beans. Beano comes in tablet and chewable tablet form. Beano prevents gas from occurring. It contains all-natural enzymes that prevent gas and bloating. Find Beano in supermarkets, pharmacies and health food stores.
4. Chew beans thoroughly, and eat slowly. When a person eats quickly, they also swallow large amounts of air, which can add to gas problems. Drink at least two glasses of water after eating beans. This helps with digestion.
Read more: How to Prevent Gas With Dried Beans | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7700652_prevent-gas-dried-beans.html#ixzz1FOcBROtx
Hope you found this all helpful! 'Til next time.
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