The soluble fiber in beans is an aid to digestion and is of the type shown to lower blood cholesterol levels. They can be beneficial in controlling weight because their ratio of calories to usable protein is very low compared to meat and dairy products. Adding beans to the diet can also prevent overeating because they absorb moisture and increase their bulk as they move through the intestines. It is unfortunate that along with the bean family's myriad good points comes the problem of gas.
Several methods exist to reduce or eliminate intestinal gas from beans.
The complex sugars tend to leach into the water. Cook beans for as long as possible. Heat breaks down the complex sugars. All Rights Reserved.