Believe it or not, if beans is your favourite food, you run the risk of having some health problems. We all know that beans have immense health benefits but have you ever stopped to think that it may also cause health problems?
Beans Can Make You Gassy
While this is not so much of a health risk, beans can cause an embarrassing flatulence problem. Dried beans, lentils, and peas can particularly increase the rate at which you fart.
You can reduce your rate of gas production by changing the water several times during the soaking and cooking process, and always rinse canned beans.
Adding herbs like lemon balm, fennel, and caraway, or combining cooked legumes with an acidic food, might also help prevent flatulence.
Beans Can Cause Headaches/Migraines
Some legumes or types of beans can trigger migraines or an allergic reaction in some people. Knowing whether you are allergic to beans usually requires a health test. If you suspect you do, talk to a doctor and eliminate the culprit from your diet.
Beans Can Raise Blood Pressure
If you are on a drug to treat depression such as a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, it is best you avoid fava beans because they can interact with the medication and raise your blood pressure.
Beans Can Interfere With Vitamin Absorption
Some beans, such as soybeans, contain substances that interfere with the absorption of betacarotene and vitamins B12 and D.
The heat from cooking these beans inactivates most of these substances, making vitamin absorption more likely.
However, the smart thing to do is to compensate for potential vitamin loss by consuming plenty of fresh fruits and yellow or dark green veggies (to increase your betacarotene) and lean meat (for vitamin B12).
Beans Can Trigger Gout
If you suffer from gout, it is best you discuss with your doctor about your bean consumption. People with gout are often advised to stop eating dried peas, beans, lentils, and other legumes because of their high purine content.
People that are also susceptible to gout may have the purines increase the levels of uric acid which can precipitate a gout attack.