White Kidney Bean Extract: Support for Weight and Blood Sugar Balance

Rice, noodles, bread, potatoes… Staple foods are the “emotional stabilizers” of many people’s daily life and also the main source of post-meal glucose and calories. Completely cutting them out is neither realistic nor sustainable.

A smarter approach is to slow down the conversion speed from “starch → glucose” without sacrificing taste, so absorption becomes steadier and the body’s burden lighter.

In simple terms: you don’t need to “break up” with carbs—just slow them down.

White Kidney Bean Extract (WKBE) = the “starch speed reducer”

White Kidney Bean Extract (WKBE) contains a natural α-amylase inhibitor (Alpha-AI1), which reversibly binds to the enzyme’s active site and gently blocks starch from being broken down into small sugar molecules at the very first step.

This may result in fewer absorbable calories from starch and a steadier post-meal glucose response. Multiple reviews and human studies have described this mechanism.

In simple terms: WKBE works like pressing “slow mode” at the starch entry gate.

What happens after things “slow down”?

Normally, starch is digested step by step: starch → dextrin → maltose → glucose. WKBE slows this rhythm, so glucose enters the bloodstream more gradually.

The result is often a flatter post-meal glucose curve and smaller insulin spikes. This may explain why many people report that “carbs don’t spike me as much” when using WKBE.

In an acute meal study, researchers tested white bread (GI ≈ 70, ISO 26642 standard) as the control. Adding 3,000 mg of white kidney bean powder was associated with lowering the post-meal glycemic response to the equivalent of GI 46 (a 34% reduction). In other words, high-GI white bread with WKBE behaved more like a medium-GI staple such as brown rice.

In simple terms: the same bread behaves like a “lower GI” version when paired with WKBE.

Efficacy highlights (human studies and reviews)

1. Body weight and body fat

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial tested Phase 2® WKBE three times daily, 30 minutes before meals (high dose: 1,000 mg/dose = 3,000 mg/day; low dose: 700 mg/dose = 2,100 mg/day) alongside a calorie-restricted diet (~20% below energy needs).

Results:

• In a 12-week randomized controlled trial, 34% of participants in the high-dose group achieved ≥5% weight loss, compared with 16% in the placebo group.
• 73% lost ≥3% body weight, versus 42% in placebo.
• This suggests that WKBE may increase the proportion of people reaching clinically meaningful weight loss targets under calorie restriction.

2. Post-prandial & absorption (acute meal test)

• Using white bread as the model, 3,000 mg powder reduced the glycemic curve by ~34% (GI 70 → GI 46).
• Capsules at 1,500–2,000 mg showed inconsistent results, underscoring the importance of dose and standardized activity.

3. Evidence overview (systematic reviews/meta-analyses)

• Human studies with standardized WKBE (e.g., Phase 2®) report significant reductions in weight and fat.
• When mixed-quality materials are pooled, results appear weaker—highlighting that standardization and correct dosing are essential.

Safety

WKBE is generally well tolerated. Most reports describe mild, transient gastrointestinal discomfort. A 90-day toxicology study also supports a favorable safety profile.

In simple terms: it is generally safe, though some people may notice brief digestive upset.

How to supplement WKBE?

Options:

• Take standardized WKBE directly, or
• Choose a finished product with a clinically aligned dose (e.g., Slim+, which provides 1,000 mg per capsule).

Dosing guide:

• To match the high-dose RCT (3,000 mg/day) → take 3 capsules daily, ideally 1 before each starch-containing meal.
• If you only eat a starch-heavy meal once per day, you may consolidate—but the trial regimen was divided dosing three times daily.

Timing:

• Take 0–15 minutes before or with a starch-rich meal. Pairing with protein, healthy fats, or fiber further slows absorption.

Diet coordination:

• Prefer whole grains, legumes, cooled starches (e.g., cold rice/potatoes), and moderate total calories. This mirrors the clinical trial diet.

FAQ

Q1: Will WKBE lower my blood sugar “too much”?
A: No. It slows starch digestion rather than forcing glucose down like a drug. Clinical trials did not report severe hypoglycemia. Still, people with diabetes or on glucose-lowering medications should consult a doctor first.

Q2: Do I need to take it three times daily?
A: That is how the strongest evidence was achieved. If you eat starch only once a day, you can consolidate—but dividing the dose is better supported by research.

Q3: How long until I notice results?
A: In the 12-week RCT, weight changes appeared as early as week 4, with clearer results at 8–12 weeks, under calorie restriction.

Q4: Who should be cautious?
A: People with legume allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, check with a doctor if combining with α-glucosidase inhibitors or similar medications.

References

1. Atkinson, F. S., Foster-Powell, K., & Brand-Miller, J. C. (2008). International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2008. Diabetes Care, 31(12), 2281–2283. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc08-1239

2. Barrett, M. L., & Udani, J. K. (2011). A proprietary alpha-amylase inhibitor from white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): A review of clinical studies on weight loss and glycemic control. Nutrition Journal, 10, 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-10-24

3. Celleno, L., Tolaini, M. V., D’Amore, A., Perricone, N. V., & Preuss, H. G. (2007). A dietary supplement containing standardized Phaseolus vulgaris extract influences body composition of overweight men and women. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 4(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.4.45

4. Grube, B., Chong, W. F., Chong, P. W., & Riede, L. (2014). Weight reduction and maintenance with IQP-PV-101: A 12-week randomized controlled study with a 24-week open label period. Obesity, 22(3), 645–651. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.20577

5. Layer, P., Zinsmeister, A. R., & DiMagno, E. P. (1986). Effects of decreasing intraluminal amylase activity on starch digestion and postprandial gastrointestinal function in humans. Gastroenterology, 91(1), 41–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-5085(86)90436-1

6. Nolan, R., Shannon, O. M., Robinson, N., Joel, A., Houghton, D., & Malcomson, F. C. (2020). It’s no has bean: A review of the effects of white kidney bean extract on body composition and metabolic health. Nutrients, 12(5), 1398. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051398

7. Obiro, W. C., Zhang, T., & Jiang, B. (2008). The nutraceutical role of Phaseolus vulgaris α-amylase inhibitor. British Journal of Nutrition, 100(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114508894426

8. Udani, J., Hardy, M., & Madsen, D. C. (2004). Blocking carbohydrate absorption and weight loss: A clinical trial using Phase 2 brand proprietary fractionated white bean extract. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 10(3), 24–30. PMID: 15154161

9. Vinson, J. A., Al Kharrat, H., & Shuta, D. (2009). Investigation of an amylase inhibitor on human glucose absorption after starch consumption. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 6(4), 208–213. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.6.208

These statements are for educational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.