Phaseolus vulgaris, the Great Northern White Bean contains an inhibitor of alpha-amylase. Alpha-amylase is an enzyme that promotes the breakdown of starch in the human intestinal tract, Ingestion of this inhibitor, which is present in the protein fraction of the bean, can reduce the digestion of the starch in foods so that less sugar are absorbed. This “starch blocker “action reduces the available caloric content of some foods.
