The main cause is a toxin called ‘phytohaemagglutinin’ or kidney bean lectin. This is a sugar based protein (glycoprotein) which is found in many types of beans which includes cannellini beans and broad beans. But some of the highest concentrations of this toxin are found in red kidney beans.
One of the next things we wondered was; what causes red kidney beans to be poisonous?
My answer was causes of red kidney bean poisoning The main cause is a toxin called ‘phytohaemagglutinin’ or kidney bean lectin. This is a sugar based protein (glycoprotein) which is found in many types of beans which includes cannellini beans and broad beans. But some of the highest concentrations of this toxin are found in red kidney beans.
Which kidney beans have the highest level of toxins?
Red kidney beans have the highest levels of it. The unit to measure the toxins is called hemagglutinating unit (hau). Raw kidney beans have between 20,000 to 70,000 hau, while fully-cooked beans contain 200 to 400 hau.
This of course begs the query “Do beans have toxins?”
The Toxin in Red Kidney Beans Legumes including beans, peas, and lentil and grain products have high amounts of a natural compound called lectins. Some of the functions of lectins include the ability to bind to and clump together red blood cells.
However, the red kidney bean holds the distinction for the bean with the highest concentration of this dangerous toxin. The toxin, measured in hemagglutinating units, or hau — a measure of toxicity — falls from a high of 70,000 hau in raw beans to under 400 hau when you thoroughly cook the red kidney beans.
Are kidney beans high in purine?
Kidney beans are a medium sized bean that has a full flavor. Popular in rice dishes, kidney beans are sold canned or dried. Cannellini beans, or white kidney beans, lack the bold flavor of the red kidney bean. Kidney beans contain a high to moderately high purine level at approximately five to 100 mg per 3.5 ounce serving.
In the actual fact, blood tests actually showed that it didn’t really increase the uric acid levels in the subjects. Even though a lot of them scare you to avoid the foods high in purines like beans, the opposite is actually the truth in here. Take note, beans are safe to eat.
Do kidney beans cause gout?
The answer is both a yes and no. Depending on which type of arthritis you have, eating beans can be either good or bad for you. Beans such as kidney beans, lima beans and navy beans have high amounts of purine, which are then metabolised into uric acid when eaten. This may affect gout flare-ups, triggering and worsening the inflammation.
Well, it is safe to eat beans for gout. It must be a part of the overall balanced gout diet plan. That means black beans, green beans, red kidney beans, black-eyes peas, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, lima beans, pinto beans, and any other beans -you can eat them all!
The more you eat, the more you have gout! Generally speaking, legumes — what we commonly call “beans” — fall in the moderate range for purine content. But some legumes have a higher purine content than others, a fact to consider when making decisions about a gout-prevention diet.