Beans are magical, and not just in fairy tales. Everyone from your favorite social media chef to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is pushing for increased bean consumption, and there’s plenty of good reason—beansare rich in protein and fiber, making them an affordable foundation for a nutritious and filling meal.
Despite their benefits, you could say beans don’t have the best reputation, thanks to their … after-effects. So, when we heard about a simple trick that helps reduce gas in beans, you bet we investigated the method.
Why Do Beans Cause So Much Gas?
“Beans produce gas mainly due to oligosaccharides, which are complex sugars like raffinose and stachyose,” says recipe developer and food expert Rizwan Asad. “We lack the enzymes to break these down, so they end up fermenting in the gut, creating gas.”
According to our friends at Eating Well, high-protein foods contain compounds that can exacerbate gas or lactose in dairy. In beans’ case, hard-to-digest complex carbohydrates (including oligosaccharides and fiber) cause further fermentation and discomfort.





