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Although beans are a healthy food, some contain toxins. For example, fava beans harbor toxins that affect people who lack an enzyme called G6PD.
For such individuals, eating fava beans can trigger a condition called favism. Favism can cause anemia by destroying red blood cells.
Other beans, especially red kidney beans, contain a toxic lectin called phytohemagglutinin, which is present in raw or undercooked beans. It can cause nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
You can inactivate phytohaemagglutinin and other toxins by thoroughly cooking beans before eating.
Like all seeds, beans also host phytic acid, which can reduce your absorption of minerals. However, you can neutralize this compound by soaking, sprouting, or cooking your beans.
Can cause flatulence in some people
In some people, beans can cause flatulence, stomach pain, or bloating.
That’s because beans contain raffinose, a type of fiber that can lead to digestive problems.
However, using products like beano gas-prevention tablets, soaking beans, or thoroughly boiling dry beans can all reduce the raffinose levels by up to 75%.
One study found that consumer perception of beans and flatulence may be exaggerated. Only around half of people who eat beans experience such symptoms. *