Iodine used to reduce gastric Gas
Surprise! there's also a gastronomic use for iodine. I'm sure you know the little song (popular among most 10-year-olds): “Beans, beans, they're good for your heart. The more you eat, the more you-…..” well, you know the rest. It might be a silly and slightly crass song, but it does speak the truth! But, sure enough, iodine can help reduce the gas we all get from eating beans. If you soak beans before cooking them, add 1 or 2 drops of iodine, and let them soak for another hour or so. (Make sure to rinse them and use fresh water for the actual cooking process). You'll be surprised at how much less gas you feel later. (For those who want a technical explanation: There's a naturally occurring enzyme inhibitor in beans that interferes with starch digestion~this is what produces gas. iodine inactivates this enzyme inhibitor. ) |