Phaseolus vulgaris's therapeutic uses
Phaseolus vulgaris, commonly known as the common bean or white kidney bean, has garnered attention for its potential therapeutic uses, particularly in weight management and diabetes control. Extracts from this plant are marketed as starch blockers, which are claimed to inhibit amylase—the enzyme responsible for starch digestion. By blocking amylase, these supplements theoretically allow starch to pass through the digestive system undigested, thus contributing to weight loss. While some studies have shown promising results, including a 2024 trial that indicated significant weight reduction in participants, the overall effectiveness of these starch blockers remains inconclusive, with various studies yielding mixed results.
In addition to weight management, Phaseolus vulgaris is being investigated for its possible benefits in diabetes management, cardiovascular health, and its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These aspects suggest that the plant may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels while protecting against oxidative stress. Although generally considered safe, consumers should be aware of potential side effects such as flatulence, and the safety of high doses in vulnerable populations remains unclear. As research continues, Phaseolus vulgaris presents a fascinating area for further exploration in natural health therapies.
Phaseolus vulgaris's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PROPOSED USES: Weight loss, diabetes management, cardiovascular health, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Overview
Supplements made from white kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are sold as starch blockers. These supplements are said to interfere with the digestion of carbohydrates and thereby promote weight loss.
Therapeutic Dosages
The recommended dose of starch blockers, or amylase inhibitors, varies among products. Label instructions regarding dosage should be followed.
Therapeutic Uses
Technically, starch blockers are amylase inhibitors. Amylase is one of the main enzymes the body uses to digest starch. In theory, when amylase is blocked, ingested starch can pass through the body undigested, contributing no calories. However, theory is one thing, reality another. Most studies of amylase inhibitors have generally failed to find them effective.
Several possible reasons for this discrepancy have been proposed, such as that the amylase inhibitor may be broken down in the stomach, the product may supply enough of its own amylase to counteract any benefit, and another enzyme, glucoamylase, may be able to take over when amylase cannot do the job. Whatever the cause, the net results in these studies were poor. The use of amylase inhibitors did not block the digestion of starch. However, according to one product manufacturer, more concentrated extracts of P. vulgaris, taken in higher doses, do work. This claim's evidence rested entirely on unpublished studies that could not be independently verified.
In 2007, however, a relevant trial was published. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, sixty slightly overweight people were given either placebo or a phaseolus extract once daily, thirty minutes before a main meal rich in carbohydrates. Over the thirty days of the study, the results indicated that phaseolus treatment led to a significantly greater reduction of body weight and an improvement of lean-to-fat ratio compared with a placebo. While this was promising, independent confirmation in larger trials was deemed necessary before phaseolus could be considered a proven weight-loss product. One published study failed to find that use of a phaseolus product reduced the rise in blood sugar that usually follows a meal. Another study published by Chinese researchers in 2020 seemed to suggest that taking phaseolus extract can reduce calorie absorption and lead to weight loss. Additional double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of phaseolus were undertaken in the 2020s, increasing evidence about its ability to impact weight. In a study published in 2024, participants taking a proprietary white kidney bean extract significantly reduced their weight and body mass index when compared to the placebo group.
Several other proposed therapeutic uses for phaseolus have been suggested. Research continued into its impact on blood sugar levels and the role it could play in diabetes management. Phaseolus may also impact cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Additionally, phaseolus has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, protecting against free radicals that can lead to chronic health conditions.
Safety Issues
Amylase inhibitors are believed to be safe because they are widely present in commonly consumed foods (beans). One side effect, however, is to be expected: flatulence. The amylase inhibitors in beans are responsible for their notorious gassiness. Maximum safe doses in pregnant or nursing women, young children, and individuals with severe hepatic or renal disease have not been established.
Bibliography
Celleno, L., et al. "A Dietary Supplement Containing Standardized Phaseolus vulgaris Extract Influences Body Composition of Overweight Men and Women." International Journal of Medicine and Science, vol. 4, 2007, pp. 45–52.
Cerovic, A., et al. "The Dry Plant Extract of Common Bean Seed (Phaseoli vulgari pericarpium) Does Not Have an Affect on Postprandial Glycemia in Healthy Human Subject." Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Science, vol. 6, 2006, pp. 28–33.
Hutchins, Andrea M., et al. "Phaseolus Beans: Impact on Glycaemic Response and Chronic Disease Risk in Human Subjects." British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 108, no. S1, 2012, pp. S52–S65, doi:10.1017/S0007114512000761. Accessed 22 Sept. 2024.
Jäger, Ralf, et al. "Proprietary Alpha-Amylase Inhibitor Formulation from White Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Promotes Weight and Fat Loss: A 12-Week, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial." Scientific Reports, vol. 14, no. 1, 3 June 2024, p. 12685, doi:10.1038/s41598-024-63443-8. Accessed 22 Sept. 2024.
Wang, Shenli, et al. "Regular Intake of White Kidney Beans Extract (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Induces Weight Loss Compared to Placebo in Obese Human Subjects." Food Science and Nutrition, 5 Feb. 2020, doi:10.1002/fsn3.1299. Accessed 20 Dec. 2022.
Warwick, Kathy W. and Zawn Villines. "What are the Health Benefits of Beans." Medical News Today, 16 Nov. 2023, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320192. Accessed 22 Sept. 2024.