Why People Fart After Eating Beans?

By Oluronke Kuku

Beans are a nutritious food, with essential and excellent nutrients like protein, fiber, and vitamins. 

Advertisement

---

However, beans can also cause discomfort, gas, and bloating due to their high fiber content and complex carbohydrates.

Beans contain oligosaccharides, a type of complex carbohydrate that humans can’t digest on their own. When these carbohydrates reach the large intestine, the bacteria in the gut break them down, producing gas as a byproduct. This gas must be released through belching or farting, which can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.

Some of the Reasons Why Beans Cause Gas and Bloating include:

1. High in Complex Carbs: Beans contain oligosaccharides, which are difficult for the body to digest. When these carbohydrates reach the large intestine, they are fermented by bacteria, which  produced gas.

Advertisement

---

2. Rich in Fiber: Beans are high in fiber, making them excellent for digestive health. However, too much fiber can cause bloating and gas.

3. High in Lectins: Beans contain lectins and proteins that bind to carbohydrates and are difficult to digest. Some individuals may be more sensitive to lectins, experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort when consuming lectin-rich foods like beans.

However, If you love eating beans so much but experience uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effects, there are ways to prevent or minimize these symptoms, these includes:

Advertisement

---

1. Soak your beans before cooking them to reduce the amount of oligosaccharides.

2. Add digestive aids like ginger, fennel seeds, cumin, or coriander to your bean dishes.

3. Start slowly and build up your bean intake to allow your body to adjust to the increased fiber and complex carbs.

Advertisement

---

By understanding the science behind why beans cause gas and bloating, and following these simple tips, you can enjoy the many health benefits of beans without experiencing the unpleasant side effects.

Speaking with Dr Bamidele Atiba, a Nigerian Medical Doctor based in the United Kingdom, corroborated the postulations that the phenomenon of flatulence (commonly referred to as “farting”) after eating beans is primarily attributed to high content of certain carbohydrates known as oligosaccharides, particularly raffinose and stachyose. Adding that humans lacks the enzymes needed to digest these carbohydrates in the small intestine.

The oligosaccharides pass undigested into the colon, they reach the gut bacteria, which ferment them. This fermentation process produces gases, primarily hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide.

He maintained that the degree of flatulence can vary from person to person. For example, an individual’s regular diet can affect gut bacteria composition. People who consume beans regularly may have adapted to them, resulting in less gas production over time.

Advertisement

---

The overall health of one’s digestive system and gut microbiome can play a role in how well one digests beans and similar foods.

Soaking beans, cooking them thoroughly, or using methods such as pressure cooking can reduce their oligosaccharide content to some extent, potentially minimizing gas production.

For those who are not accustomed to eating beans, gradually introducing them into the diet can help the digestive system adjust over time, reducing the severity of flatulence.

Advertisement

---

Making his submission, he also subscribe that while eating beans is associated with increased gas production, they are also an excellent source of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. For those who enjoy them, experimenting with preparation methods and gradually increasing intake can help mitigate this common side effect.

Advertisement

---