What Are Carb Blockers and Do They Work?

Starch blockers, commonly known as carb blockers, can aid in blocking enzymes required for the digestion of certain carbohydrates.

Certain types of carb blockers are sold as weight loss supplements. They are developed with a specific group of compounds called alpha-amylase inhibitors, which are found naturally in some foods.

The compounds are generally extracted from beans, known as white bean or Phaseolus vulgaris extract. Others are prescribed for the treatment of high blood sugar in type 2 diabetics. The medicines are known as alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs).

How Do Carb Blockers Work?

The carbs that are digestible in nature are divided into two categories, simple carbs and complex carbs. In foods such as fruits and dairy products, it consists of natural carbs.

They can also be found in foods such as sodas, cookies, and flavored yogurts. In contrast, in foods like pasta, pizza, rice, and starchy plants such as potatoes, complex carbs are found.

Complex carbohydrates consist of several simple carbohydrates that have to be broken down by enzymes to get absorbed by the body.

Carb blockers contain substances that prevent the breakdown of these complex carbs by certain enzymes. As a consequence, these carbs are either split or absorbed into the large intestine. They do not add to calories or increase blood sugar.

Do Carb Blockers work?

Carb blockers only block some quantity of carbs that you consume from being digested. They seem to block about 50-65 percent of enzymes digesting carbs.

You should know that it doesn’t mean the same amount of carbs would be blocked when these enzymes are inhibited. A strong carb blocker was observed in a study, 97% of the enzymes could be inhibited, but 7% of the carbohydrates were not absorbed due to these enzymes.

This is possible because carb blockers do not inhibit the absorption of carbon directly. They will simply increase the time required to digest the enzymes.

On top of this, the sugar that is added to processed foods is a major issue for many people who want to lose weight. Sugars added are generally simple carbohydrates such as sucrose, glucose, or fructose. These simple carbohydrates are not affected by carb blockers.

Benefits of Carb Blockers

Carb Blockers for Weight Loss

Carb blockers are advertised as supplements for weight loss. They advertise you to consume unlimited carbs you want without any information of calories.

However, they have limited effectiveness, and from studies, the results can be conflicting.

Carb Blockers for reducing Appetite

It not only restricts the digestion of carbs but also has an effect on few hormones that play a role in controlling your hunger and fullness. This can also slow the process of the stomach digesting food after a meal.

A reason can be due to the fact that bean extracts contain phytohaemagglutinin. Levels of hormones involved in the process of fullness can also be increased with this compound.

Carb Blockers for maintaining Blood Sugar

Carb blockers are typically advertised as weight loss supplements but have a bigger impact on controlling blood sugar levels. The digestion of complex carbs is reduced or prevented with the help of carb blockers.