How to Avoid Food Poisoning from Undercooked Beans: 7 Steps (2024)

FAQs

How do you prevent bean poisoning? ›

Soak and cook beans thoroughly to destroy the phytohaemagglutinin toxin. Beans should not be cooked at a low temperature, for example in a crock pot or slow cooker, since it may not destroy the toxin. Do not consume raw or inadequately cooked beans.

You may have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. You may also have cramps or abdominal pain. Generally, these symptoms appear within 3 hours of eating the beans. Visit urgent care or the ER if your symptoms are severe.

Boil beans in fresh water for at least 30 minutes. Note: The toxin is destroyed when boiled at 212 degrees F for 10 minutes, but scientists recommend 30 minutes to be certain the beans reach the proper temperature for the amount of time necessary.

The danger comes from eating raw beans or undercooked beans. Eating just four raw, soaked beans is enough to cause symptoms of foodborne illness. Crockpots are popular methods for cooking raw beans, but this method can yield dangerous results.

Soaking beans

The advice comes directly from Dr. Todorov's grandmother, but studies have also shown that soaking beans for at least 16 hours can reduce the amount of gas produced by digestion.

nausea and vomiting, followed by diarrhoea and sometimes abdominal pain; recovery is usually rapid.

Consumption of common beans (e.g. green beans, French beans) and other beans (e.g. red kidney beans, white kidney beans) without proper processing may cause poisoning due to the naturally present toxins lectins (e.g. phytohaemagglutinins). Acute poisoning symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.

If the water level drops below the beans, add more water so the beans are covered at all times. The beans are done cooking when they're all tender; you can test this as they by smooshing a bean or two against the side of the pot with a fork — it should collapse easily, but not be mushy.

But research now suggests that one tough ingredient shouldn't be cooked in the slow cooker at all — beans. All beans contain a compound called “phytohaemagglutinin,” also called PHA, or kidney bean lectin. Lectin is a type of protein that performs many functions in both plants and animals.

On the Bean Protocol™

The protocol is a dietary approach, and at its core is the idea that incorporating healthy fiber into your diet leads to a natural detox and supports a happy, healthy gut. Beans contain more soluble fiber than any other food category in the plant kingdom, which is why this food takes center stage.

How to safely prepare beans? ›

Always rinse beans before cooking, and check for stray rocks, twigs and leaves. Leave substantial time for bean soaking (either overnight or using our shortcut method) and cooking. If you are short on time, choose lentils or adzuki beans, which cook quickly and don't need soaking.

Cruciferous vegetables – like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts – are loaded with detoxifying sulfuric compounds such as sulforaphane, which give them their sharp flavor and smell. They also help the liver perform its role in eliminating toxins.

You don't need to do anything special. If it was dried beans, and they were still hard, or not all the way soft, maybe eat a big salad to help the beans pass through your digestive tract. Don't be alarmed if you have gas (fart a lot).

As far as getting the beans cooked a little more, just let it simmer in a stock pot, or in a crock pot. If stock pot on the stove, use lowest setting, in crock high is fine. It may get a little darker, but in my opinion, it will make it even better.

Certain types of lectin may bind with the walls of your digestive system which can lead to serious problems. Eating one particular lectin, phytohemagglutinin, can lead to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

To cut down on the gassy properties, you can add a little baking soda to your recipe. The baking soda helps break down some of the beans' natural gas-making sugars.

In a nutshell, on the Bean Protocol, you quit sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. I know it's shocking, but if you want to heal, you need to help your body detox from the heavy pollutants. You also eat 1/2 cup of beans, 1/2 cup of veggies and a small serving of protein 3x-6x a day depending on your needs.

For example, some studies show that soaking and cooking beans before eating them can significantly decrease their raffinose content and help prevent gas production in the colon and subsequent flatulence ( 9 ).