Yes, beans give you gas.
Legumes, from kidney beans to lentils, contain indigestible carbohydrates which the intestines are unable to absorb.
These indigestible carbohydrates are fermented by bacteria in the colon, producing gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen, said Dr Eric Wee, an associate consultant in gastroenterology at the Khoo Tech Puat Hospital.
On the average, a normal person may pass gas 10 to 20 times a day, he said.
Hence, flatulence, while embarrassing, is not something to worry about.
But, if it occurs with other problems such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss or a change in bowel habit, seek medical help.
- April Chong
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