[pronut-hiv] BBC: Experts make flatulence-free bean

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Experts make flatulence-free bean 


A method of creating super-nutritious but flatulence-free beans has
been developed by scientists. 
Beans are a cheap and key source of nutrition especially in the
developing world, but many people are thought to be put off by
anti-social side-effects. 

A Venezuelan team says fermenting beans with certain friendly bacteria
can cut the amount of wind-causing compounds, and boost beans'
nutritional value. 

The research appears in the Journal of the Science of Food and
Agriculture. 

Flatulence is caused by bacteria that live in the large intestine
breaking down parts of food - such as soluble fibre - that have not been
digested higher in the gut 

Beans, such as the black bean commonly eaten across Central and
Southern America and tested by the team, contain many of these
compounds. 

Researchers from the Simon Bolivar University in Caracas found that by
boosting the natural fermentation process by adding a particular type of
bacteria , called Lactobacillus casei (L casei), the amount of these
indigestible wind-causing compounds were reduced. 

Soluble fibre was reduced by two thirds and the amount of raffinose,
another flatulence-causing substance, by 88.6%. 

But the amount of insoluble fibre, which is thought to have a
beneficial effect on the gut and help the digestive system get rid of
toxins, increased by 97.5%. 

The team concludes that fermentation involving L casei could decrease
flatulence compounds and increase nutritional quality. 

They suggest the bacteria is used by the food industry to create better
bean products. 

The team led by Marisela Granito said: "Given that flatulence is one of
the main limiting factors for the consumption of this important
foodstuff, the implementation of processes which allow for nutritious
and non-flatulence-producing beans to be obtained would be interesting."


'Social concerns' 

Dr Frankie Phillips, a nutrition expert and spokeswoman for the British
Dietetic Association, said: "This study provides an interesting lead in
helping us to overcome some of the less desirable aspects of eating
legumes - i.e. flatulence - whilst ensuring that the nutritional
benefits from eating them remain. 

"On a practical note, some people find that gradually increasing
consumption levels of legumes helps, as the body adapts, and others have
no symptoms at all. 

"I'd suggest trying small portions of legumes as part of a meal and
gradually eating larger portions as they can be tolerated." 

She said that products existed, mainly in the US, which can help reduce
flatulence. 

She added: "Despite the obvious social concerns, there is no
physiological harm from the flatulence caused by eating beans and other
legumes, and considerable nutritional benefits from eating them owing to
fibre content as well as a wide range of other nutrients and
phytonutrients."