Home Ingredients StarchLite® (White Kidney Bean Extract)
Weight Management

StarchLite® (White Kidney Bean Extract)

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

StarchLite® is a white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) extract standardized for phaseolamin, an alpha-amylase inhibitor. It is made by Pharmachem, which sells the same white bean extract as Phase 2, the name under which its published trials were run. By temporarily slowing starch digestion it is intended to reduce the calories absorbed from starchy meals, and it has been studied for weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet.

Studied Dose In the 12-week trial, 700 mg or 1000 mg taken 30 minutes before each of three main meals, so about 2.1 to 3 g per day. Only the higher amount beat placebo on fat mass.
Active Compound White kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) extract containing alpha-amylase-inhibiting phaseolamin.

Benefits

Carbohydrate blocking

By inhibiting starch-digesting alpha-amylase, the extract is intended to reduce the sugar and calories absorbed from starchy foods. This is the proposed mechanism; the weight trial did not measure calorie absorption directly.

Supported by Trial 1

Weight management

White kidney bean alpha-amylase inhibitors have supported weight and fat loss in randomized research, always on top of a reduced-calorie diet. In the 12-week trial of this extract, everyone ate about 20 percent below their calculated calorie needs; the 1000 mg per meal group lost 4.48 kg against 0.54 kg on placebo. An independent 2026 pooled analysis of eight trials in 543 people found a more modest average of about 1.6 kg.

Supported by Trial 1

Post-meal glucose support

Slower starch digestion may blunt the rise in blood sugar after a starchy meal. The evidence is thin: in a 13-person crossover study only the 3000 mg powder dose lowered the glycemic index of white bread, while lower doses and all capsule doses did not, and HbA1c was unchanged after 12 weeks.

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
White Kidney Bean and Weight — RCT
PubMed

12-week double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial of Phase 2, the Pharmachem white bean extract also sold as StarchLite. Sponsored by InQpharm; the paper discloses that two of the authors are consultants to Ashland, then the manufacturer of Phase 2, and that Pharmachem supplied the ingredient. (Jäger et al. 2024, Scientific Reports)

81 adults with overweight or moderate obesity, average BMI about 30, all following a diet cutting calories roughly 20 percent below their calculated needs.

Weight fell 4.48 kg on 1000 mg three times daily and 3.18 kg on 700 mg, against 0.54 kg on placebo, with fat mass down 3.17 kg versus 0.65 kg at the higher dose. At the lower dose the fat mass change did not separate from placebo (P = 0.268). Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and HbA1c were no different from placebo. Safety was acceptable.

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 from undigested starch.
Take with starchy meals to assess tolerance. Avoid if you are allergic to beans or other legumes.

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 StarchLite® (White Kidney Bean Extract)

What is StarchLite?

StarchLite® is a white kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) extract standardized for phaseolamin, an alpha-amylase inhibitor. It is made by Pharmachem, which sells the same white bean extract as Phase 2, the name under which its published trials were run.

What is StarchLite used for?

StarchLite is researched primarily for Weight Management. By inhibiting starch-digesting alpha-amylase, the extract is intended to reduce the sugar and calories absorbed from starchy foods. This is the proposed mechanism; the weight trial did not measure calorie absorption directly.

What is the recommended dosage of StarchLite?

The clinically studied dose is In the 12-week trial, 700 mg or 1000 mg taken 30 minutes before each of three main meals, so about 2.1 to 3 g per day. Only the higher amount beat placebo on fat mass. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is StarchLite safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, StarchLite 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 from undigested starch. It may also interact with some medications. StarchLite 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 StarchLite 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 StarchLite?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for StarchLite as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 4 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(4 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: Sponsor-funded 12-week RCT in 81 dieting adults of Phase 2, the Pharmachem white bean extract also marketed as StarchLite. Weight fell at both doses, but fat mass separated from placebo only at the higher dose, and cholesterol, LDL, HDL and HbA1c were unchanged.
  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: Independent systematic review and meta-analysis of 8 randomized trials in 543 adults with overweight or obesity. White kidney bean extract reduced body weight by 1.62 kg (95% CI -1.99 to -1.25), BMI by 0.58 kg/m2, fat mass by 1.17 kg, waist by 1.58 cm and hip by 0.99 cm, with no serious adverse events, and found no significant change in fasting blood glucose, triglycerides or insulin. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
  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: Independent systematic review and meta-analysis of Phaseolus vulgaris as a weight-loss supplement. The weight difference versus placebo was not statistically significant (MD -1.77 kg, 95% CI -3.33 to 0.33) while body fat was reduced (MD -1.86 kg, 95% CI -3.39 to -0.32), and the authors concluded that the poor quality of the included trials prevents firm conclusions.
  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 6-arm crossover in 13 subjects testing Phase 2 at 1500, 2000 and 3000 mg in both capsule and powder form on the glycemic index of white bread. Only the 3000 mg powder dose significantly lowered the glycemic index (-20.23 points, 34.11%, p = 0.023); the lower powder doses and all three capsule doses were not significant.