Lentils give many people gas or bloating. According to Samakal's report, they contain raffinose, a complex carbohydrate that is hard to digest; when it reaches the gut, bacteria ferment it and produce gas. Lentils are also high in fibre, which is good for digestion but can cause bloating if eaten in large amounts suddenly.
Lentils also contain anti-nutrients such as lectins and phytates. If dal is not cooked properly, these interfere with digestion and cause discomfort, and people with weak digestion may also find the plant protein hard to digest.
The report advises washing lentils well, soaking them for a while before cooking, and making sure they are fully cooked. This makes dal easier to digest and reduces indigestion.
Citing a report in Ei Samay, it gives soaking times: mung, red lentils and pigeon pea, 30 minutes to an hour; whole mung, whole black gram and split chickpeas, 2 to 4 hours; kidney beans, raw chickpeas and kabuli chickpeas, about 8 to 12 hours.
People who regularly get severe stomach problems from lentils should see a doctor; these are general cooking tips, not treatment.
Photo: Miansari66 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Source: Samakal
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