why do they do this? I love lentil soup but couldnt eat it if i was going anywhere coz of the amount of wind i get!!!

I believe that it has to do with a starch in lentils and beans. Taking digestive enzymes can help to break down the starch and alleviate the problem.

Whenever I use canned beans (you may be able to figure out something similar with the lentils) I put them in a strainer and wash off the "juice". This seems to help a lot.

Legumes have an enzyme called phaseolamine that prevents the breakdown of some of the starches in beans (and lentils) to sugars that can be absorbed. So the starches pass to the large intestine where, alas, there are bacteria and fungi that can readily break it down...to sugars, alcohols and then to eruptible CARBON DIOXIDE.
This enzyme is used as a diet aid.
The GOOD part is that we don't get all the calories that are listed for the lentils, some is shared with those around us :D:D...isn't that nice (for us anywway)?

Legumes have an enzyme called phaseolamine that prevents the breakdown of some of the starches in beans (and lentils) to sugars that can be absorbed. So the starches pass to the large intestine where, alas, there are bacteria and fungi that can readily break it down...to sugars, alcohols and then to eruptible CARBON DIOXIDE.
This enzyme is used as a diet aid.
The GOOD part is that we don't get all the calories that are listed for the lentils, some is shared with those around us :D:D...isn't that nice (for us anywway)?

i thought that reason was because they contain protease inhibitors which means some of the PROTEIN is not properly digested. to alleviate this problem i would recommed a protein digester enzyme like pineapple bromelein or papain (papaya enzyme) (available in most health food stores).

alex.