Alpha-Galactosidase
150mg per servingPrevents gas from beans, legumes, and cruciferous vegetables by breaking down indigestible sugars.
Overview
What it is
Alpha-galactosidase is an enzyme that specifically targets galacto-oligosaccharides — the complex sugars found in beans, lentils, chickpeas, broccoli, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables. Humans completely lack the enzyme to break down these sugars, which is why these foods are notorious for causing gas. Alpha-galactosidase is the active ingredient in consumer products like Beano and is derived from Aspergillus niger.
Mechanism
How it works
Galacto-oligosaccharides (raffinose, stachyose, verbascose) pass through the stomach and small intestine intact because humans do not produce alpha-galactosidase. When they reach the large intestine, resident bacteria ferment them, producing hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide gas. Supplemental alpha-galactosidase breaks these sugars down in the small intestine before they reach the colon, converting them into absorbable simple sugars (galactose, glucose, fructose) and completely preventing the gas-producing fermentation.
Why it helps
Key benefits
Breaks down gas-producing sugars that humans cannot digest
Prevents bloating and gas from beans, legumes, and cruciferous vegetables
Converts indigestible oligosaccharides into absorbable simple sugars
Works preemptively in the small intestine before sugars reach gas-producing bacteria
Evidence
The research
Does Beano prevent gas? A double-blind crossover study of oral alpha-galactosidase to treat dietary oligosaccharide intolerance
Ganiats TG, Norcross WA, Halverson AL, et al. · Journal of Family Practice (1994)
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 19 subjects, alpha-galactosidase solution with meatless chili significantly reduced flatulence events per hour over 6 hours (F = 2.87, P = .016), confirming efficacy for oligosaccharide intolerance prophylaxis.
Efficacy and tolerability of alpha-galactosidase in treating gas-related symptoms in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Di Nardo G, Oliva S, Ferrari F, et al. · BMC Gastroenterology (2013)
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in children with predominant gas-related symptoms, alpha-galactosidase significantly reduced global distress, bloating, and flatulence vs. placebo, confirming efficacy and tolerability across age groups.
Dosage
150mg per serving
Why this dose
The 150mg alpha-galactosidase dose delivers a minimum of 300 GalU (galactosidase units) of activity — matching or exceeding the doses used in clinical trials demonstrating gas reduction. This generous dose ensures effectiveness even with large servings of beans, legumes, or cruciferous vegetables.
The formula
Why it matters
Beans, legumes, and cruciferous vegetables are among the healthiest foods available, but many people avoid them because of gas and bloating. Alpha-galactosidase removes this barrier entirely by addressing the root cause — not masking gas symptoms, but preventing gas formation at the enzymatic level. This is one of the few ingredients in Feast that addresses a genuine gap in human enzyme production.
Works with
Cellulase
Cellulase breaks open plant cell walls while alpha-galactosidase breaks down the gas-producing sugars inside — comprehensive support for plant-heavy meals.
Fennel Seed Oil
Alpha-galactosidase prevents gas formation from specific sugars while fennel helps expel gas that forms from other sources — preventive and expulsive anti-gas mechanisms.