Drugs Q & A

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Taking Beano?

What is Beano?

Beano contains a natural food enzyme that helps prevent gas before it starts. It works with your body’s digestion to break down the complex carbohydrates in gassy foods, like fresh vegetables, whole grain bread, and beans, making them more digestible. Beano tablets contain less than five milligrams of sodium per tablet. It can be said that Beano tablets are sodium-free.

Beano enables you to enjoy your favorite healthy foods, whether at home, in a restaurant, or at a friend’s house, without worrying about gas.  Excess lower intestinal gas can be caused by eating certain foods, by the inability to fully digest certain foods, or by a disruption in the bacteria normally found in the colon.

Beano comes in 3 variants namely:

  1. Beano Meltaway: A Vegetarian-Friendly formula that contains a natural enzyme that breaks down complex carbohydrates found in many foods, making them easier to digest so they don’t cause gas. One tablet contains the following ingredients: Alpha-galactosidase 450 GALU† (derived from Aspergillus niger) mannitol, povidone, corn starch, water, sodium stearyl fumarate, polyvinyl acetate, less than 1% of maltodextrin, silicon dioxide, calcium gluconate, triacetin, natural & artificial flavor, red no. 40 lake, acetic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate.
  • Beano Extra Strength: This also contains a natural enzyme that breaks down the complex carbohydrates found in many foods, making them easier to digest so they don’t cause gas. Two tablets of this variant contain Alpha-galactosidase enzyme 800 GALU† (derived from Aspergillus niger) cellulose gel, mannitol, potato starch, magnesium stearate, colloidal silica, calcium gluconate.
  • Beano To Go: This variant comes in a convenient travel pack that can easily be stashed in your purse, glove compartment, or anywhere your life takes you. It contains a natural enzyme that breaks down the complex carbohydrates found in many foods, making them easier to digest so they don’t cause gas. Every two pills contain Alpha-galactosidase enzyme 400 GAlu† (derived from Aspergillus niger), cellulose gel, mannitol, invertase, potato starch, magnesium stearate, colloidal silica, and gelatin.

How does Beano work?

Beano contains the Alpha-galactosidase enzyme an enzyme from a natural source that works with your body’s digestion. It breaks down the complex carbohydrates found in gassy foods into simpler, easily digestible sugars before they reach the colon, preventing gas before it starts. Learn more about gas and Beano.

Beano is not just for beans. It works on a whole variety of gassy foods, including many vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, grains, cereals, nuts, seeds, whole-grain bread, and many other foods.

Who should not take Beano?

You should not take Beano if you are galactosemic or allergic to any of the components of Beano. Speak with your doctor or healthcare providers for beano alternatives.

How should I take Beanodo?

The correct dosage amount is key to Beano’s efficiency. Take 2 – 3 chewable tablets or 1 Meltaway at every typical meal. For best results, you may have to adjust the number of tablets or Meltaways according to the number of servings.

Can I take Beano if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

No, avoid Beano if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because there is no information to indicate that Beano is unsafe for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. However, Beano has not been tested on pregnant women. Therefore, we recommend that pregnant or breastfeeding women should speak to their physician before using Beano.

Can children use Beano?

Beano is recommended for children 12 years and older. Beano is not recommended for use in children under 12, except on the advice of a pediatrician.

When do I use Beano?

The correct timing of the dosage is also key to Beano’s efficiency. To prevent gas before it starts, take Beanowith your gassy food. If you are using Beano tablets, you should swallow, chew or crumble them into your food right before your first bite or you will take them with your first bite of food. If you are using Beano Meltaways, one Beano Meltaway works the same as two Beano tablets. Just place it on your tongue before your first bite, and it will melt away in seconds with a smooth, light flavor to help prevent gas from happening.

Benefits and side effects Of Taking Beano

Pros And Cons Of Taking Beano

Pros

  • Beano contains Alpha-galactosidase, an effective digestive enzyme that helps break down the carbohydrates in beans into simpler sugars to make them easier to digest.
  • Beano prevents the formation of gas or bloating both of which can cause you discomfort after eating.
  • Beano is not a drug but a natural product that can help prevent gas before it starts.
  • Beano is a gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly formula that is easy to use before your first bite or immediately after meals (up to 30 minutes after the first bite).

Cons

  • Beano is not recommended for children less than 12 years who suffer from gas or bloating, except on the advice of a pediatrician.
  • People who suffer from galactosemia, a disorder that affects how the body processes a simple sugar called galactose cannot use Beano.
  • There is no information to indicate that Beano is safe for use during pregnancy or during breastfeeding. Excess gas is very common in pregnancy due to the effect of the hormone progesterone.
  • Beano might increase blood sugar levels and might not be safe to use for diabetics. Beano is a natural source food enzyme that works by breaking down indigestible sugars into simpler, more digestible sugars. As a result, it has been estimated that the use of Beano will produce an additional two to six grams of carbohydrates for every 100 grams of food treated by Beano.

Can I take Beanowith my other medications?

There are no known drug interactions. Since an enzyme will catalyze chemical reactions specific only to that enzyme, they are quite predictable. Alpha-galactosidase enzyme activity is specific to materials containing one or more alpha-1, 6-galactopryanosyl groups in their structure. We ask that you speak to your physician or pharmacist about the advisability of taking Beano while you’re taking other medications.

Is it safe to use Beano after the expiration date?

No, do not take or consume an expired Beano. An expiration date is a date after which a consumable product such as food or medicine should not be used because it may be spoiled, damaged, or ineffective. The manufacturer states that it can only assure the level of enzyme activity claimed through the expiration date printed on the package. Beyond the expiration date, enzyme activity may be less than the amount claimed, and the product may not be as effective as when it is fresh

Where can I buy Beano?

Beano tablets are available in the antacid section of supermarkets, traditional and online pharmacies, mass merchandising outlets, and health food stores across the country.

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Dr. Oche Otorkpa PG Cert, MPH, PhD

Dr. Oche is a seasoned Public Health specialist who holds a post graduate certificate in Pharmacology and Therapeutics, an MPH, and a PhD both from Texila American University. He is a member of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health in the UK. He authored two books: "The Unseen Terrorist," published by AuthorHouse UK, and "The Night Before I Killed Addiction."
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