Are beans hard to digest, and why do they give us gas?

A healthy digestive tract should be able to digest beans. Sometimes the flatulence people experience when eating beans is caused by improper preparation. Beans should be soaked in water for four to six hours before cooking to leach out the "raffinose." This is the sugar that ferments and causes bloating.

Beans have plenty of fiber, 6 to 8 grams per serving, of both soluble and insoluble fiber, both which aid in elimination. Beans are also high in protein and have fewer calories and more B vitamins than meat. They also have no unhealthy fats and are very inexpensive. They are a "superfood"!"