Home Ingredients Carb10® (Pea Starch Carbohydrate)
Metabolic Health

Carb10® (Pea Starch Carbohydrate)

Pisum sativum
Evidence Level
Limited
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Carb10® (Compound Solutions) is a proprietary, non-GMO pea starch (Pisum sativum) carbohydrate ingredient uniquely characterized by a very low glycemic and insulinemic response compared to standard carbohydrates — providing sustained energy delivery without the insulin spike and crash associated with high-GI carbs like dextrose, maltodextrin, or waxy maize. In unpublished head-to-head testing reported by the manufacturer (Compound Solutions), Carb10® produced 82% less insulin and 27% lower blood glucose response than maltodextrin. These figures come from company literature, not a peer-reviewed trial, and they measure the glucose and insulin curve only, not any performance, energy, or body-composition outcome.

Studied Dose 15-25 g per serving (pre, intra, or post-workout); 10-20 g for sustained-energy formulas.
Active Compound Pea starch from Pisum sativum (Carb10 by Compound Solutions); proprietary non-GMO pea starch, low glycemic/insulinemic, ~100-300 kDa.

Benefits

Lower insulin response than maltodextrin (manufacturer testing)

Manufacturer testing reported by Compound Solutions found Carb10® produced 82% less insulin response and a 27% lower blood glucose peak than maltodextrin at equivalent carbohydrate doses. These are company-reported figures, not results from a peer-reviewed trial, and they describe the glucose and insulin curve, a laboratory surrogate. No trial has measured whether this translates into steadier energy, better workout performance, or any clinical benefit in people managing blood sugar or insulin resistance.

Supported by Trial 1

Slow-digesting carbohydrate with low osmolality

Pea starch has a higher amylose content than many other starches, which slows amylase digestion and releases glucose more gradually than high-GI carbs. Its low osmolality may cause less gut distress than some carbohydrate sources. No trial has measured a workout-performance, endurance, or fatigue outcome for Carb10, so any effect on sustained energy during exercise is inferred from the digestion profile, not demonstrated.

Supported by Trial 1

Insulin-sensitive and low-carb compatible fueling

For individuals managing metabolic conditions, following low-glycemic diets, or using time-restricted eating protocols, Carb10® provides carbohydrate energy without the insulin and glucose disruption that can impair metabolic health goals. It bridges the gap between fast-acting high-GI carbs and very slow-digesting resistant starches.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Pea starch digestion kinetics and low GI response

Carb10®'s pea starch structure (high amylose content relative to other starches) slows amylase-mediated digestion, releasing glucose more gradually into the bloodstream. The moderate digestion rate avoids the rapid portal glucose flux that triggers robust insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells — consistent with the 82% lower insulin response reported in Compound Solutions' own unpublished testing.

Clinical trials

1
Carb10® Pea Starch Glycemic Profile — Manufacturer Testing, No Independent PubMed RCT
PubMed

Manufacturer-published comparative clinical study examining blood glucose and insulin response to Carb10® (pea-derived starch) vs equivalent dose of maltodextrin in healthy subjects. Acute postprandial design.

Manufacturer-funded testing comparing Carb10® (proprietary pea starch from Compound Solutions) to maltodextrin in healthy adults for glycemic and insulin response. Study details and methodology have not been published in a peer-reviewed PubMed-indexed journal. Findings reported on Compound Solutions product literature.

Manufacturer-reported: Carb10® demonstrated 82% lower insulin response and 27% lower blood glucose response compared to maltodextrin in head-to-head testing. Pea starch is a slowly-digested resistant carbohydrate with prebiotic properties and low osmolality (reducing GI distress vs maltodextrin). Note: This data has not been published in a PubMed-indexed peer-reviewed journal as of May 2026. The closest PubMed-indexed evidence supporting low-glycemic pea starch effects is general literature on resistant starch glycemic response.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally very well tolerated; pea-derived, non-GMO
Mild bloating during initial adaptation in some users
Pea/legume allergy — rare; avoid if known pea protein allergy

Important Drug interactions

Metformin and other antidiabetics — Carb10's low GI profile is compatible; may require less medication adjustment vs. high-GI carb sources
No significant drug interactions

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Frequently asked questions about Carb10® (Pea Starch Carbohydrate)

What is Carb10?

Carb10® (Compound Solutions) is a proprietary, non-GMO pea starch (Pisum sativum) carbohydrate ingredient uniquely characterized by a very low glycemic and insulinemic response compared to standard carbohydrates — providing sustained energy delivery without the insulin spike and crash associated with high-GI carbs like…

What is Carb10 used for?

Carb10 is researched primarily for Metabolic Health. Manufacturer testing reported by Compound Solutions found Carb10® produced 82% less insulin response and a 27% lower blood glucose peak than maltodextrin at equivalent carbohydrate doses.

What is the recommended dosage of Carb10?

The clinically studied dose is 15-25 g per serving (pre, intra, or post-workout); 10-20 g for sustained-energy formulas. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Carb10 safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Carb10 is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally very well tolerated; pea-derived, non-GMO Mild bloating during initial adaptation in some users It may also interact with some medications. Carb10 is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Carb10 interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Metformin and other antidiabetics — Carb10's low GI profile is compatible; may require less medication adjustment vs. high-GI carb sources No significant drug interactions If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Carb10?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Carb10 as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Perreau C, Desailly F, Grard S, Thondre PS, Ahlstrom L, Tammam J, Wils D Slow Digestible Starch in Native Pea Starch (Pisum sativum L.) Lowers Glycemic Response with No Adverse Effects on Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Healthy Adults. J Med Food. 2023;26(10):760-767. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2023.0085.PubMedUsed to support: Small (n=13), nonblind crossover study in healthy adults, conducted by Roquette Freres (a pea-starch supplier, not the maker of Carb10). Native pea starch had 30% slow-digestible starch, and a 25 g pea-starch recipe produced a significantly lower blood GLUCOSE response than a maltodextrin recipe, with no difference in gastrointestinal symptoms. Insulin was not measured. Evidence is on generic pea starch, not the Carb10 branded ingredient, and does not test the insulin claim.
  2. Johnston AJ, Mollard RC, Dandeneau D, MacKay DS, Ames N, Curran J, Bouchard DR, Jones PJ Acute effects of extruded pea fractions on glycemic response, insulin, appetite, and food intake in healthy young adults, results of a double-blind, randomized crossover trial. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2021;46(9):1126-1132. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2020-0571.PubMedUsed to support: Double-blind randomized crossover trial (n=26) of extruded oat cereals containing different pea fractions. The pea STARCH fraction did not lower postprandial glucose or insulin versus the oat control; the reductions came from the pea PROTEIN and pea FIBRE fractions. This study therefore does not show that pea starch itself lowers the insulin response, and it does not support the 82% figure claimed for Carb10.
  3. Dahl WJ, Foster LM, Tyler RT Review of the health benefits of peas (Pisum sativum L.). Br J Nutr. 2012;108 Suppl 1:S3-10. doi: 10.1017/S0007114512000852.PubMedUsed to support: Narrative review of the nutritional properties of peas (Pisum sativum). It notes that the intermediate amylose content of pea starch contributes to a lower glycemic index and reduced starch digestibility. This is a review, not a trial, and it does not provide direct evidence on insulin response or on the Carb10 ingredient.