Baked Beans, Black Beans, Cannelli Beans, Common Bean, Gousse de Haricot, Gousses de Haricot, Green Bean, Haricot à Parchemin, Haricot à Rames, Haricot Beurre, Haricot Blanc, Haricot Commun, Haricot Jaune, Haricot Mange-Tout, Haricot Mange-Tout Jaune, Haricot Mange-Tout Vert, Haricot Noir, Haricot Potager, Haricot Sec, Haricot Vert, Kidney Bean, Kidney Beans, Legume, Légumineuse, Lima Bean, Mange-Tout, Navy Bean, Petit Haricot Noir, Phaseoli Fructus, Phaseolus, Phaseolus vulgaris, Pinto Bean, Refried Beans, Seed-Free Bean Pods, Sine Semine, Snap Bean, Starch Blocker, String Bean, Vaina de Frijol, Wax Bean, White Bean, White Kidney Bean.
Bean pod is a plant that produces bean pods. Seeds are removed from the pods and the remaining husks are then used to make an “extract.” This extract is used as medicine.
Bean pod is used for high cholesterol, obesity, urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney or bladder stones, diabetes, and lung cancer. It is also taken as a diuretic to increase urine production.
How does it work?
Bean pods are a source of dietary fiber. Fiber might help to prevent cholesterol absorption and increase the elimination of dietary fat.
Products containing bean pod extracts often claim to be "starch blockers." Promoters offer this as a rationale for using their products for weight loss. But research shows that these products do not seem to decrease the absorption of starch.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerPossibly Effective for...
- Obesity. Some research suggests that taking a specific white kidney bean pod extract (Phase 2, Pharmachem Labs) helps reduce weight and waist circumference in overweight people. However, conflicting evidence exists. The reason for this disagreement may be the amount of carbohydrates being eaten by people taking this product. This product seems to reduce weight more significantly in people who eat a high amount of carbohydrates. It does not appear to be effective for people who don't eat a lot of carbohydrates.
According to an analysis of studies that evaluated white kidney bean pod extract (Phase 2, Pharmachem Labs) and other bean pod extracts, bean pod doesn't seem to help people lose weight. However, it does seem to decrease body fat.
Products containing white kidney bean pod extract (Phase 2, Pharmachem Labs) plus other ingredients seem to increase weight loss in people who are overweight. Taking a product containing white kidney bean pod extract (Phase 2, Pharmachem Labs) plus chromium while dieting seems to increase weight loss by nearly 6 pounds when used for 30 days. Taking a product containing white kidney bean pod extract (Phase 2, Pharmachem Labs) plus chicory root and garcinia extract seems to reduce weight by 3.5 kg (approximately 7.7 lbs), body mass index by 1.3 kg/m2, and percent body fat by 2.3% compared to before treatment.
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Diabetes. Early research suggests that taking a combination of bean pod, white mulberry, and bilberry three times per day for 2 months might lower blood sugar by almost 25% in people with type 2 diabetes.
- High cholesterol. Early research suggests that taking a bean pod and carob extract modestly lowers cholesterol levels in obese people and increases the amount of fat that leaves the body in the stool.
- Lung cancer. Some early research suggests that men and women who consume a higher amount of dietary phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones from beans and soy, have a 44% to 72% lower risk of developing lung cancer compared to those who consume smaller amounts. Men seem to benefit more than women.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Kidney stones.
- Other conditions.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
There is some evidence that bean pod extracts are POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth for 2 or 3 months. However, eating large amounts of fresh bean husks are POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Raw husks contain chemicals that can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cooking destroys these chemicals.
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowDiabetes: Bean pod may lower blood sugar. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medications may need to be adjusted by your healthcare provider.
Surgery: Bean pod might affect blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking bean pod at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Bean pod might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking bean pod along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
The appropriate dose of bean pod depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for bean pod. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Espinosa-Alonso, L. G., Lygin, A., Widholm, J. M., Valverde, M. E., and Paredes-Lopez, O. Polyphenols in wild and weedy Mexican common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). J Agric.Food Chem. 6-14-2006;54(12):4436-4444. View abstract.
Haidvogl, M., Fritsch, G., and Grubbauer, H. M. [Acute poisoning with green beans (phaseolus vulgaris and phaseolus coccineus) (author's transl)]. Padiatr.Padol. 1979;14(3):293-296. View abstract.
Ionescu-Tirgoviste, C., Popa, E., Mirodon, Z., Simionescu, M., and Mincu, I. [The effect of a plant mixture on the metabolic equilibrium in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus]. Rev.Med Interna Neurol.Psihiatr.Neurochir.Dermatovenerol.Med Interna 1989;41(2):185-192. View abstract.
Lara-Diaz, V. J., Gaytan-Ramos, A. A., Davalos-Balderas, A. J., Santos-Guzman, J., Mata-Cardenas, B. D., Vargas-Villarreal, J., Barbosa-Quintana, A., Sanson, M., Lopez-Reyes, A. G., and Moreno-Cuevas, J. E. Microbiological and toxicological effects of Perla black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) extracts: in vitro and in vivo studies. Basic Clin.Pharmacol.Toxicol. 2009;104(2):81-86. View abstract.
Morales-de Leon, J. C., Vazquez-Mata, N., Torres, N., Gil-Zenteno, L., and Bressani, R. Preparation and characterization of protein isolate from fresh and hardened beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). J Food Sci. 2007;72(2):C96-102. View abstract.
Shirke, S. S., Jadhav, S. R., and Jagtap, A. G. Osteoprotective effect of Phaseolus vulgaris L in ovariectomy-induced osteopenia in rats. Menopause. 2009;16(3):589-596. View abstract.
Udani, J. and Singh, B. B. Blocking carbohydrate absorption and weight loss: a clinical trial using a proprietary fractionated white bean extract. Altern.Ther Health Med 2007;13(4):32-37. View abstract.
Venkateswaran, S., Pari, L., and Saravanan, G. Effect of Phaseolus vulgaris on circulatory antioxidants and lipids in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. J Med Food 2002;5(2):97-103. View abstract.
Welle, R., Schroder, G., Schiltz, E., Grisebach, H., and Schroder, J. Induced plant responses to pathogen attack. Analysis and heterologous expression of the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of phytoalexins in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. cv. Harosoy 63). Eur.J Biochem. 3-14-1991;196(2):423-430. View abstract.
Wheelock, E. F. Interferon-Like Virus-Inhibitor Induced in Human Leukocytes by Phytohemagglutinin. Science 7-16-1965;149(3681):310-311. View abstract.
Birketvedt GS, Travis A, Langbakk B, Florholmen JR. Dietary supplementation with bean extract improves lipid profile in overweight and obese subjects. Nutrition 2002;18:729-33.. View abstract.
Bo-Linn GW, Santa Ana CA, Morawski SG, Fordtran JS. Starch blockers--their effect on calorie absorption from a high-starch meal. N Engl J Med 1982;307:1413-6. View abstract.
Celleno L, Tolaini MV, D'Amore A, et al. A dietary supplement containing standardized Phaseolus vulgaris extract influences body composition of overweight men and women. Int J Med Sci 2007;4:45-52. View abstract.
FDA Center for Food Safety and Nutrition. What are some of the questionable weight loss products? http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qa-nut4.html. (Accessed 20 December 2003).
Hollenbeck CB, Coulston AM, Quan R, Becker TR, et al. Effects of a commercial starch blocker preparation on carbohydrate digestion and absorption: in vivo and in vitro studies. Am J Clin Nutr 1983;38:498-503. View abstract.
Onakpoya I, Aldaas S, Terry R, Ernst E. The efficacy of Phaseolus vulgaris as a weight-loss supplement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. Br J Nutr 2011;106:196-202. View abstract.
Schabath MB, Hernandez LM, Wu X, et al. Dietary phytoestrogens and lung cancer risk. JAMA 2005;294:1493-1504. View abstract.
Thom E. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a new weight-reducing agent of natural origin. J Int Med Res 2000, 28:229-233. View abstract.
Udani J, Hardy M, Madsen DC. Blocking carbohydrate absorption and weight loss: A clinical trial using phase 2 brand proprietary fractionated white bean extract. Altern Med Rev 2004;9:63-9. View abstract.
Udani J, Singh BB. Blocking carbohydrate absorption and weight loss: a clinical trial using a proprietary fractionated white bean extract. Altern Ther Health Med. 2007;13(4):32-7. View abstract.
Wu X, Xu X, Shen J, Perricone N, Preuss H. Enhanced weight loss from a dietary supplement containing standardized Phaseolus vulgaris extract in overweight men and women. Journal of Applied Research 2010;10:73-79.