Lentils (Lens culinaris), like other legumes, are important both nutritionally and agriculturally. Soaking of lentil drastically reduce the quantities of α-galactosides present in the raw material (45–100% reduction). Analysis of the soaking medium (distilled water, 0.1% citric acid solution, 0.07% sodium bicarbonate solution) showed that these losses could not be explained by leaching alone, since the α-galactosides in the soaking medium amounted to only 1–10% of the recorded losses. Other monosaccharides (fructose and glucose) underwent a conspicuous increase (120 and 280% respectively) after soaking. The results indicate that during the 9 h soaking period the sugars in the lentils underwent a metabolic mobilization reminiscent of the changes taking place during germination. Cooking of the soaked lentils modified the α-galactoside content only slightly. On the other hand fructose, glucose, and sucrose decreased significantly during cooking. Soaking and cooking in water led to removal of a substantial pr...