I Didn’t Know That...

Q: Why do beans give us gas?

A: Gas, more correctly termed flatulence, is a combination of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane and a little hydrogen sulfide and/or ammonia produced in the colon when naturally occurring bacteria ferment carbohydrates that were not digested in the small intestine. Foods that are high in carbohydrates thus may cause gas. These include not only beans, but also peas, wheat, oats, bran, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, corn and rutabagas. People deficient in the digestive enzyme lactase may also suffer gas produced by milk products.