Unfortunately, most people worry that beans might make other body parts flutter.

First, cook thoroughly. If you cook beans from scratch, don't eat them al dente. Canned beans are probably safer, because they are thoroughly cooked.

Second, rinse thoroughly. Beans contain indigestible sugars-indigestible by people, that is. The bacteria that live in our intestines gobble them up like candy. In exchange, the bacteria give off gases that may make you do likewise. Some of the sugar migrates from the beans to the liquid in which they've been soaked, cooked or canned. So tossing the liquid and rinsing your canned beans helps, and cuts the salt to boot.

Finally, take it slowly. If you haven't touched a bean since that bowl of chili you regretted eating in 1975, don't slurp down a generous bowl of bean soup for lunch and a couple of bean burritos for dinner. Start small and inch upward over a few weeks, so your gut has time to adjust.

If all else fails, try Beano. It's liquid alpha-galactosidase, the enzyme that digests gas-causing sugars. According to its manufacturer, a few drops on the first bite of food are all you need.

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