Garbanzo beans, also called chick peas, are a part of the legume family, a relative to peas, peanuts and other beans. In some people, eating garbanzo beans produces stomach cramps and the formation of excessive gas. There are a few reasons you may experience this reaction after eating them; consult your physician for the underlying cause.
Fiber
A ½ cup of garbanzo beans fulfills 36 percent of the daily recommended fiber intake for a 2,000-calorie diet. With 9 g of fiber per serving, you may experience stomach cramps from eating garbanzo beans because of the sudden increase of fiber in the digestive system. Ingesting more fiber than your body is accustomed to can cause adverse reactions, such as upset stomach, gas, bloating and diarrhea, according to MedlinePlus. The stomach cramps should subside within a few hours, especially after you have a bowel movement or pass gas.
Gas Pains
Eating certain foods, such as beans, fruits and vegetables, can increase your chances of developing gas pains. Gas pains can cause sharp pains that come and go throughout the abdomen. Gas pains are the result of trapped gas in the intestines that places pressure against the stomach and intestinal walls. Gas pains are commonly accompanied with stomach bloating. Bloating may cause your stomach to become visually distended, make you feel full and may cause tightness to develop in your lower abdomen. If you develop severe pain in your abdomen after eating garbanzo beans, call your doctor.
Legume Allergy
The Cleveland Clinic states that garbanzo beans are a relative of soybeans, which may increase your risk of developing an allergy to chick peas. If you have a known legume allergy, talk with your doctor before eating garbanzo beans. Not only will an allergic reaction cause stomach cramps, but you may develop diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, skin itchiness, hives, trouble breathing, coughing, a high-pitched sound when you breathe, nasal congestion and headaches. An allergy to garbanzo beans can lead to a severe allergic reaction that can cause life-threatening symptoms, so seek emergency medical care.
Consideration
If your stomach cramping gets worse and is accompanied with a fever, body chills and excessive diarrhea, you may have food poisoning. Food poisoning occurs whenever a food is contaminated with toxins, bacteria or parasites. Food poisonings has no cure aside from rest, drinking more liquids and implementing a bland food diet.
Member Comments