Home Ingredients CarbLite® (White Kidney Bean Carb Blocker)
Weight Management

CarbLite® (White Kidney Bean Carb Blocker)

Phaseolus vulgaris
Evidence Level
Limited
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

CarbLite® is a white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) extract standardized for phaseolamin, an alpha-amylase inhibitor. By temporarily slowing the digestion of starch, it is meant to reduce the sugar and calories absorbed from starchy meals. The published human trials were run on other white kidney bean extracts, in particular the Phase 2 brand from Ashland, rather than on CarbLite itself.

Studied Dose Commonly 500 mg to 1 g before starchy meals. The trial behind this page used a heavier regimen: 700 mg or 1,000 mg three times a day, taken 30 minutes before each main meal.
Active Compound White kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) extract containing alpha-amylase-inhibiting phaseolamin.

Benefits

Carbohydrate blocking

By inhibiting starch-digesting alpha-amylase, the extract reduces the sugar and calories absorbed from starchy foods.

Supported by Trial 1

Weight management

White kidney bean alpha-amylase inhibitors have supported weight and fat loss in randomized research as part of a calorie-controlled approach. A 2026 meta-analysis of 8 trials in 543 people found about 1.6 kg more weight loss than placebo, while an earlier review found no significant weight difference and judged the trials available at the time to be seriously flawed.

Supported by Trial 1

Post-meal glucose: limited and mixed evidence

Slower starch digestion would be expected to blunt the rise in blood sugar after a starchy meal, and small studies point both ways. A 12-person crossover trial of a different purified bean extract lowered the glucose rise after a mixed meal, while a 13-person study of Phase 2 lowered the glycemic index of white bread only at the largest 3 g powder dose. Longer trials, including the 12-week study cited here, have not shown changes in HbA1c or fasting blood sugar.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Alpha-amylase inhibition

Phaseolamin binds and temporarily inactivates alpha-amylase, slowing the breakdown of starch into absorbable sugars.

2

Reduced caloric absorption

With less starch digested in the small intestine, some passes onward undigested, lowering the meal's effective calorie load.

Clinical trials

1
Phase 2 white kidney bean extract and weight: 12-week RCT
PubMed

12-week double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial of Phase 2, Ashland's branded white kidney bean alpha-amylase inhibitor, at 700 mg or 1,000 mg three times a day, 30 minutes before meals. It tested that brand, not CarbLite. The study was sponsored by InQpharm, the ingredient was supplied by Pharmachem, and two authors are consultants to Ashland. (Jäger et al. 2024, Scientific Reports)

81 adults with overweight or moderate obesity who completed the study, all following a calorie-restricted diet about 20 percent below their calculated energy needs.

On top of the calorie-restricted diet, the 1,000 mg group lost 4.48 kg against 0.54 kg on placebo, and 3.17 kg of fat mass against 0.65 kg. The 700 mg group lost 3.18 kg of weight, but its fat mass change did not separate from placebo (p = 0.268). Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and HbA1c were no different from placebo. Participants and investigators rated tolerability as good or very good.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated — digestive symptoms are most common.
Mild gas, bloating, or loose stools can occur when starch escapes digestion and ferments in the colon, though in the 12-week trial side effect rates were no higher than with placebo.
Take with starchy meals to assess tolerance.

Important Drug interactions

Diabetes medication — may add to blood-sugar lowering; monitor.
Take with starchy meals, not protein or fat meals, for the intended effect.
Tell your doctor if you manage blood sugar with medication.

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Frequently asked questions about CarbLite® (White Kidney Bean Carb Blocker)

What is CarbLite?

CarbLite® is a white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) extract standardized for phaseolamin, an alpha-amylase inhibitor. By temporarily slowing the digestion of starch, it is meant to reduce the sugar and calories absorbed from starchy meals.

What is CarbLite used for?

CarbLite is researched primarily for Weight Management. By inhibiting starch-digesting alpha-amylase, the extract reduces the sugar and calories absorbed from starchy foods.

What is the recommended dosage of CarbLite?

The clinically studied dose is Commonly 500 mg to 1 g before starchy meals. The trial behind this page used a heavier regimen: 700 mg or 1,000 mg three times a day, taken 30 minutes before each main meal. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is CarbLite safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, CarbLite is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated — digestive symptoms are most common. Mild gas, bloating, or loose stools can occur when starch escapes digestion and ferments in the colon, though in the 12-week trial side effect rates were no higher than with placebo. It may also interact with some medications. CarbLite 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 CarbLite interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Diabetes medication — may add to blood-sugar lowering; monitor. Take with starchy meals, not protein or fat meals, for the intended effect. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for CarbLite?

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

References(5 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. Jäger R, Abou Sawan S, Purpura M, 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. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):12685..PubMedUsed to support: 12-week RCT of Phase 2, Ashland's branded white kidney bean extract, supplied by Pharmachem and sponsored by InQpharm, in adults on a calorie-restricted diet. It supports the weight benefit of that brand of extract, not of CarbLite, which was not tested. Two authors consult for the manufacturer.
  2. Shi N, Wang R, Cao X, et al. White kidney bean extract reduces body weight and adiposity with acceptable safety in adults with overweight and obese: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Res. 2026;150:49-61..PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 8 randomized trials in 543 adults, authors declaring no conflicts of interest: weight -1.62 kg (95% CI -1.99 to -1.25), BMI -0.58 kg/m2, fat mass -1.17 kg, waist -1.58 cm, hip -0.99 cm, and no serious adverse events. No significant differences in fasting blood glucose, triglycerides or random insulin. Sizes the class weight effect and shows the class does not move metabolic markers.
  3. Onakpoya I, Aldaas S, Terry R, et al. The efficacy of Phaseolus vulgaris as a weight-loss supplement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. Br J Nutr. 2011;106(2):196-202..PubMedUsed to support: Eleven eligible trials, six pooled. The weight difference versus placebo was not statistically significant (mean difference -1.77 kg, 95% CI -3.33 to 0.33), body fat was significantly lower (-1.86 kg, 95% CI -3.39 to -0.32), and the authors report that all included trials had serious methodological flaws, preventing firm conclusions. Included so the page reflects a mixed literature.
  4. Udani JK, Singh BB, Barrett ML, et al. Lowering the glycemic index of white bread using a white bean extract. Nutr J. 2009;8:52..PubMedUsed to support: Open-label six-arm crossover in only 13 subjects, testing Phase 2 at 1500, 2000 and 3000 mg as capsule and powder with white bread. All capsule doses and the two lower powder doses gave non-significant changes in glycemic index; only 3000 mg of powder was significant (a fall of 20.23 index points, 34.11 percent, p = 0.023). Tests Phase 2, not CarbLite. Supports the limited and mixed framing of the post-meal glucose benefit.
  5. Spadafranca A, Rinelli S, Riva A, et al. Phaseolus vulgaris extract affects glycometabolic and appetite control in healthy human subjects. Br J Nutr. 2013;109(10):1789-95..PubMedUsed to support: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover in 12 healthy volunteers: 100 mg of a purified Phaseolus vulgaris extract taken with a mixed meal produced smaller rises in glucose (15.4 versus 26.1 percent at 30 minutes, p = 0.04), insulin and C-peptide, and a lower desire to eat over three hours. A different purified extract, not CarbLite and not Phase 2, and a single meal in 12 people, so it is suggestive rather than conclusive. This is the positive half of the post-meal glucose evidence.