Thaindian News

London, April 22 (ANI): Finding a healthy way to lose weight? Try a seaweed shake.

Scientists have found that adding the seaweed extract alginate to a chocolate milkshake suppresses hunger pangs.

Men and women who drank the alginate-based drink for breakfast felt almost a third less hungry by lunchtime than those who had a normal milkshake.

The finding paves the way for a range of foods that keep us feeling fuller for longer and make it easier to resist snacks between meals.

“Many different diets and diet programmes can be effective in reducing weight,” the Daily Mail quoted researcher Harry Peters as saying.

“However, many subjects fail to adhere to these diets and the reduction in weight is therefore not achieved or maintained.

“Delaying the return of hunger after consumption can potentially increase consumer satisfaction with weight control programmes and reduced-energy food products and encourage long-term compliance with a reduced-energy diet,” added Peters.

The alginate did nothing to alter the flavour of the shake, with the participants saying it was just as pleasant as the real thing.

The form of alginate used turns into a gel in the acidic environment of the stomach, and the calcium adds to the gel’s thickness.

This creates a feeling of fullness, as well as holding food in the stomach for longer.

The study has been published in the journal Obesity. (ANI)