Phaseolus vulgaris is a species of legume from the Fabaceae botanic family. The species includes multiple varieties such as green beans, pinto beans, cranberry beans, kidney beans, black turtle beans and others.
Phaseolus vulgaris is also known as the White Kidney Bean and it is a source of the weight loss ingredient, called phaseolamin.
Phaseolamin extract in Phaseolus vulgaris beans acts by inhibiting the actions of alpha-amylase; a digestive enzyme that breaks down long-chain carbohydrates. For this reason, it is referred to as a carb-blocking supplement.
People use Phaseolus vulgaris extract supplements as a safe and natural diet pill. Some of the uses attributed to White Kidney Bean extract include suppressing appetite, encouraging weight loss, maintaining healthy weight levels, naturally managing type 2 diabetes mellitus and improving overall lipid balance.



- Reduces breakdown & absortion of carbs
- Contains phaseolamin; inhibits alpha-amylase
- Supports weight loss & appetite control
Phaseolus Vulgaris Carb Blocker
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All legumes contain a compound called phaseolamin, which is an alpha-amylase and a lectin inhibitor. In plants like Phaseolus vulgaris, phaseolamin acts as a defense against attacks from insects.
In mammals, phaseolamin works to inhibit the digestion of starchy foods. Alpha-amylase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes alpha bonds contained in large polysaccharides.
It breaks down long-chain carbohydrates like glycogen and starch to yield smaller carbohydrates, like maltose and glucose.
This can have positive effects for weight loss, by preventing some of the calories consumed in the diet from being absorbed into the body. Phaseolus vulgaris may also have benefits for regulating healthy blood sugar levels.
How Phaseolus Vulgaris blocks Carbohydrate Digestion:
When carbohydrate foods enter the mouth, alpha-amylase is released by the salivary glands. This begins the process of digestion. The actions of alpha-amylase are suppressed when the food is swallowed due to interactions with stomach acids.
After leaving the stomach’s acidic environment, inside the small intestines, more alpha-amylase is released, this time by the pancreas. Now, the complex carbohydrates are broken down into oligosaccharides; molecules comprised of multiple monosaccharides (simple sugars).
Next, glycoside hydrolase enzymes called glucosidases break down the oligosaccharides further into simple sugar molecules like glucose which can be used readily for different purposes. The liver may use these to produce energy, or they may be stored either as glycogen or triglycerides.
When phaseolamin is present in the system, it acts to block the actions of alpha amylase inside the small intestines. This means that the process of alpha amylase breaking down complex carbohydrates into more simple oligosaccharides is largely inhibited by phaseolamin.
This causes the carbohydrates to pass through the rest of the digestive tract without being broken down; meaning they exit the body in the same unmetabolized state.
For this reason, Phaseolus Vulgaris extract capsules are being promoted as a way to support a weight loss diet and prevent some of the harmful effects on health linked to excessive carbohydrate consumption.
Clinical Proof for Phaseolus Vulgaris
Multiple randomized, double-blind human trials have addressed the biologic effects of Phaseolus vulgaris. Research has associated the following therapeutic results in people supplementing with bean pods from P. vulgaris:
- Reductions in waist circumference, fat mass and body weight;
- Reduced risks for coronary artery disease and heart disease;
- Reduced risks for developing colon cancer and lung cancer;
- Better usage and modulation of glucose in the blood;
- Less fat gains resulting from high calorie diets;
- Lower levels of triglycerides.
Phaseolus vulgaris pods may also reduce the glycemic indices associated with starchy foods like white rice. Routine usage of a quality P. vulgaris supplement may help to reverse prediabetes and diabetes mellitus (type 2).
It seems to prevent steep spikes in blood glucose after meals, thereby preventing hyperinsulinemia and potentially promoting weight loss.
More research is needed to determine the precise therapeutic benefits associated with Phaseolus vulgaris. Large-scale, long-term randomized human trials are warranted.
Phaseolus Vulgaris and Lectins
P. vulgaris and certain other Fabaceae members obtain the nitrogen they need via associating with a nitrogen-fixing bacteria called rhizobia. Many varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris also contain a lectin called phytohaemagglutinin. It is a toxic substance and most concentrated in red kidney beans.
Phytohaemagglutinin toxicity can cause adverse gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting and/or nausea. When experienced, these symptoms normally self-dissipate within an hour or two. Symptoms can normally be avoided by soaking and boiling the pods before consumption.
For many users, the potential therapeutic benefits outweigh the risk of gastric side effects of Phaseolus vulgaris. The anticancer, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, anti-HIV, antimicrobial, antiobesity and other potentials of P. vulgaris continue to be explored.
Phaseolus Vulgaris Side Effects and Safety
Phaseolus vulgaris is a GRAS food. Temporary side effects may include flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and/or vomiting. Proper oral use of P. vulgaris bean pod extracts is rated as possibly safe for up to 3 months at doses of 3 grams or less daily.
Consumption of large quantities of white kidney beans is rated possibly unsafe and should be avoided.
The safety of Phaseolus vulgaris has not been established for pregnant or nursing women, or for surgery candidates. Usage is not recommended in these groups.
Conclusions
Primarily by blocking the actions of alpha amylase, Phaseolus vulgaris carbohydrate blocker supplements may help with losing weight, decreasing fat mass, balancing lipids and reducing the risks of obesity, diabetes mellitus, heart disease and more.
If you have a serious medical condition or use prescription medications, it is best to seek medical advice before beginning to use this natural supplement.
Phaseolus vulgaris extracts should not be expected to promote weight loss independently of a healthy diet and fitness program. Weight control and diabetes management should always be based primarily on proper diet and exercise.
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Article last updated on: March 12th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
And which of the extracts works better? Phaseolus vulgaris extract or White Kidney Bean extract?