Canned beans are nutritious and have a long shelf life because they are canned with a preservation liquid, which is a blend of salt, water, and starch released from the beans.

While the liquid is edible, be cautious of its salt content when determining whether you want to rinse your beans. When making fresh, raw dishes, like salad, drain the beans.

If you don’t rinse and drain your beans, the salt will overpower your dish. However, when cooking with canned beans, you can dump the entire can, liquid and all, into the pot.

Just remember to season your cooked dish mindfully. If you struggle with bloating, rinsing canned beans with cold water can help you feel less gassy at the end of the meal.