Grown all over the world, the White Kidney Bean plant is also known as "phaseolus vulgaris", and can be beneficial in weight loss programs. The extract from the plant which we use for weight loss purposes comes from the seeds.
The white kidney beans contain a carbohydrate, or starch blocker, which is the key to helping us lose weight. This starch blocker extract blocks a digestive enzyme which is produced to digest the foods we eat; however, the extract has no effect on blocking fat or sugar. By blocking this digestive enzyme, some of the starches that pass through the digestive tract will go undigested, therefore, not absorbing any calories. However, all starches consumed are not blocked so care has to be taken not to consume excessive amounts of starch under the illusion that none will be absorbed. One other consideration is that the extract must be in your digestive tract when you eat. Taking the extract at other times will not produce any beneficial blocking effect since it only works in conjunction with the digestive enzyme secreted at the time of digestion.
Various scientific studies have supported the effectiveness of white kidney bean extract and have revealed that the resultant weight losses consisted virtually entirely of fat, and not of muscle. This is good news for anyone who needs a bit of assistance taking off a few pounds, but it shouldn't be considered a long-term solution to weight control. Care also has to be exercised if you are pregnant or have diabetes; in these cases, or if you have any significant health concerns, it is highly recommended that you consult your doctor before starting a weight loss program which includes the use of this extract.
