Will adding baking soda to beans prevent flatulence?
By Wendy
@jerzgirl (9384)
United States
May 26, 2008 7:36pm CST
OK - so it's not something we discuss on a regular basis, but hey - do we or do we not ALL deal with this at some point? If it's not our partners holding our heads under the blanket or uncles wanting us to pull their fingers, it's our S/Os (or fathers) waiting until we're in the car in a snow storm with the heat on full blast only to say, "I'm sorry, but I didn't have to before!" 
Can we avoid it - does this work?
According to some, yes, this does work to some degree. Some add the soda before when soaking the beans and others add the soda during the cooking process. But, they recommend no more than 1/8 tsp to a large pot of beans because the soda reduces the Vitamin B1 content of the beans.
How about you? Have you tried this? Since we had baked beans with our dinner tonight, I guess I'll find out in short order if the mistake was mine to make, huh? 
Can we avoid it - does this work?
According to some, yes, this does work to some degree. Some add the soda before when soaking the beans and others add the soda during the cooking process. But, they recommend no more than 1/8 tsp to a large pot of beans because the soda reduces the Vitamin B1 content of the beans.
How about you? Have you tried this? Since we had baked beans with our dinner tonight, I guess I'll find out in short order if the mistake was mine to make, huh? 1 person likes this
2 responses
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
27 May 08
Yes, if you add baking soda it will help "de-gas" the beans, as we say. LOL It really does help but it seems to take a little of the taste out of the bean also. But if it does cause lots of gas it is best to put some baking soda in or get some beano. That works too.
@goldeneagle (6743)
• United States
27 May 08
I dont know if mixing it with the beans will help prevent it...but if you mix a teaspoon of soda with a glass of water and drink it after eating, it will help eliminate the problem.
