As much as beans are nutritional
powerhouses that are great for the body,
there are certain potential and surprising
health risks that beans pose. Jumia Travel,
the leading online travel agency, shares 5
surprising health risks beans pose.
1. It Can Cause Migraines
Some people have an allergic reaction to
beans, though this isn’t common. When
these people eat beans it can trigger
migraines for them. If this happens, it
important to see a doctor and possibly
eliminate it from your diet depending on
what the doctor advises.
2. It Can Interfere With Vitamin Absorption
Some beans, like soy beans, contain
substances that can interfere with the
absorption of betacarotene, vitamins B12
and vitamins D. However, the heat from
cooking renders most of these substances
inactive which makes vitamin absorption
more likely. Nevertheless, it is still advisable
to compensate for potential vitamin loss by
consuming fresh fruits, green vegetables and
lean meat.
3. It Can Make You Gassy
Well this isn’t exactly a health risk, but
beans, especially dried beans, lentils and
peas, can cause embarrassing flatulence
(excessive gas) problems. You can reduce
the gas production of beans by changing the
water several times during the soaking and
cooking process, and always rinse canned
beans. It might seem like a lot of work but
when you consider the potential
embarrassment it might save you from, it
might in fact be worth it. Adding herbs like
lemon balm, fennel and caraway can also
help to reduce the gas production of beans.
4. It Can Cause Cramping
Beans contains fiber and this component is
not easily digested by the body. If you
overdo the quantity of beans you consume,
the fiber in the beans can temporarily slow
down your bowels (because it is indigestible)
and cause cramping.
5. It Can Cause Constipation
Typically, the fiber in beans is meant to help
prevent constipation by moving food through
your intestines. However, the flip side to this
is that if you do not drink enough liquids
after consuming beans, it can actually
constipate you. This is because beans are
high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, and
soluble fibers need liquid to move through
your system as it should. Recommendation
The solution for most of the health risks or
side effects of beans is simply water. Boiling beans well helps to soften its fiber content,
and drinking plenty of liquid after consuming
beans helps it to move around in your
digestive tract more efficiently which helps
to eliminate flatulence, cramping and
constipation. You should ensure you eat
beans in moderation too, don’t overdo your
quantities no matter how much you love
beans.