Tips & Tricks Episode 2: Foam in dal? 😮 #shortsfeed

Tips & Tricks Episode 2: Foam in dal? 😮 #shortsfeed
Scientific evidence about lentils, saponins, and uric acid

According to research published on the NIH's official bookshelf (InformedHealth.org), plant-based foods high in purines—including lentils, peas, beans, spinach, mushrooms, oats, cauliflower, and broccoli—"were found to have little effect on the risk of a gout attack."

Yes, the foam or froth that forms on boiling lentils **can contribute to gas and bloating**, and here’s the scientific basis for that:

### What the Foam Contains

The froth or scum you see on top of boiling lentils consists primarily of:

* **Saponins**: Bitter, soap-like compounds naturally present in legumes. While generally non-toxic in moderate amounts, they can irritate the gut lining and contribute to gas.
* **Proteins and starches**: These leach out during boiling and can trap air, forming foam.
* **Oligosaccharides** (like raffinose and stachyose): These are complex sugars that the human digestive system can't break down, but gut bacteria can — producing **gas** in the process.

### Why Skimming the Foam Helps

Removing the froth reduces:

* **Surface oligosaccharides** and **saponins** that may leach into the cooking water
* Potential gut irritants and flatulence-causing substances
* The bitter or off flavor that sometimes affects the final dish

### Backed by Science

* A study in the *Journal of Food Science and Technology* noted that **soaking and skimming** legumes reduces flatulence-causing sugars.
* **Cooking water replacement** (discarding the first boil or foam) is a traditional and evidence-supported method to reduce bloating.

### Best Practices to Reduce Gas from Lentils

* **Soak lentils** for 4–8 hours and rinse thoroughly.
* **Skim off foam** while boiling.
* **Add carminatives** like ginger, cumin, fennel, or asafoetida (hing), which help reduce gas.
* **Cook thoroughly** — undercooked lentils are harder to digest.

You can still follow any of the methods I mentioned earlier to manage the foam if you find it visually unappealing:
- Rinse lentils thoroughly before cooking
- Add a small amount of oil to the cooking water
- Skim off the foam if you prefer
- Or simply leave it alone, as multiple scientific sources confirm it's harmless

Видео Tips & Tricks Episode 2: Foam in dal? 😮 #shortsfeed канала Healthy With Ravneet Bhalla