Is White Kidney Bean Extract safe for Diabetes?
Research into the effects of White Kidney Bean for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes shows that this supplement can help to control blood sugar levels and potentially improve symptoms of insulin resistance.
However, if you are a diabetic, it is important to speak to your doctor before taking this supplement as combining it with certain diabetes drugs could cause interactions.
White kidney beans (cannellini beans) are also known as Phaseolus vulgaris and are from the legume family. One of their active phytochemicals, phaseolamin has been shown to promote weight loss by allowing some carbohydrate calories to pass through the digestive system without being broken down.
By blocking the absorption of some carbohydrates, this supplement may promote the same weight loss and weight management effects as restricting caloric intake. More importantly for diabetics, it has been shown to reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes.
For individuals with Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes or other forms of Metabolic Syndrome, this could help reduce the secretion of insulin from the pancreas following a meal that is high in carbohydrates.
This could theoretically improve insulin sensitivity, however more research is needed to determine the full clinical scope of benefits.



- Reduces breakdown & absortion of carbs
- Contains phaseolamin; inhibits alpha-amylase
- Supports weight loss & appetite control
White Kidney Beans and Obesity
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Weight loss and healthy weight maintenance are integral for combating the obesity and numerous conditions and diseases that are heavily correlated with obesity.
In the US, obesity is measured by the body mass index (BMI).
BMIs ranging from 25 to 30 signify being overweight. If the BMI is 30 or more, then obesity is diagnosed.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 2 billion people are now overweight, with more than 700 million of them being at least slightly obese.
Obesity is largely preventable. It is caused primarily by poor dietary choices, sedentary living and ineffective methods of dealing with daily stress. Type 2 Diabetes is highly correlated with obesity, as is insulin resistance.
Obesity can be reversed in the vast majority of cases via positive lifestyle modifications. Carbohydrate blocking supplements like White Kidney Beans can be used as an adjunct approach to losing weight via healthy living.
Obesity and Diabetes
It is accepted widely that chronic obesity significantly increases the odds of developing Type II Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Mellitus is a blanket term for a number of conditions which cause hyperglycemia.
High blood glucose levels are either caused by not enough insulin being available to accommodate efficient glucose utilization or resistance to the effects of insulin in transporting glucose into cells.
When too much glucose remains in the bloodstream for extended periods, then numerous health conditions and/or diseases may develop including:
- Diabetic retinopathy (blindness);
- Diabetic nephropathy (end-stage disease of the kidneys);
- Diabetic neuropathy, often leading to non-trauma related extremity amputations;
- Various cardiovascular issues and/or strokes;
Currently, more than 30 million Americans have been diagnosed with prediabetes or Diabetes Mellitus Type II. Diabetes claims tens of thousands of lives in the US alone every year, and it is the country’s number seven cause of death.
There is no known cure for Type I diabetes, but Type II Diabetes is reversible in the majority of cases. This can be accomplished only via proper nutritional balance, physical activity and effective long-term weight management practices.
White Kidney Bean extract supplements are being recommended as a component of this overall lifestyle approach.
White Kidney Bean Extract and Diabetes
In various clinical studies, white kidney bean extracts have been shown to have a positive effect on weight loss and subsequent weight management.
In one study that lasted 30 days, 60 obese adults were administered 3000mg of phaseolamin daily, split into three equal doses, and taken just before each of three meal times. Compared to the placebo group who actually gained weight of less than one pound, the treatment group lost nearly 7 pounds on average.
Treatment group subjects also demonstrated a 3% decrease in waistline circumference as well as a 10% decrease in fat mass. It seems that weight that is stored around the waist (particularly in men) is more likely to cause problems related to insulin resistance than weight stored around the hips or thighs.
Thus, reducing waist circumference is particularly important for reducing the risk of Diabetes Type II. No ill side effects were observed in any of the subjects.
There are various other risk factors for developing Diabetes Mellitus Type II including age, sex, race, health history, genetics, medications used and others. However, the single most effective predictor of diabetes is being overweight and/or obese.
In fact, about 90% of those with Type II Diabetes have BMIs of at least 25. Diabetes rates are at all-time highs and are expected to continue increasing steeply – in close similarity to obesity rates.
and help to regulate blood sugar levels.
Phaseolamin extracts from white kidney beans have been shown to:
- Stimulate weight loss and promote healthy weight management;
- Decrease cravings for sweet and starchy foods;
- Decrease waistline measurement sizes and fat mass;
- Decrease projected fat mass rates;
- Prevent after-meal blood glucose spikes and their related complications;
- Improve cardiovascular health by reducing triglycerides and LDL cholesterol;
- Possibly raise HDL cholesterol levels;
- Help to decrease the long-term probability for developing obesity, and therefore all its associated conditions and/or diseases.
Using white kidney bean extracts and diabetes medications together, including insulin, is not recommended. If you are currently taking prescription or OTC medications to control Diabetes Mellitus Type II or reactive hypoglycemia (prediabetes) symptoms, then please consult with your endocrinologist before engaging phaseolamin supplementation.
While this supplement is considered generally safe, it may not be appropriate for certain individuals.
Article last updated on: April 14th, 2018 by Nootriment