Obesity breakthrough: fight obesity by eating seaweed fibre

In a recent research it has been established that a dietary fibre in one of the world’s largest commercially used seaweed could help cut down on obesity.

Seaweed-a key to conquering obesity
A team from Newcastle University has found the miraculous secrets of seaweed, saying a fibre found in seaweed is more effective in stopping the body from absorbing fat from food than most anti-obesity treatments currently available over the counter.

The secret is alginate, a natural fibre found in sea kelp, which is already used in small quantities by manufacturers to thicken and stabilise foods, according to UK’s Daily Mail.

The research team, headed by Iain Brownlee and Prof Jeff Pearson, suggests that the natural fibre alginate could reduce the amount of fat absorbed by the body by around 75 per cent-and even enhances flavour.

Seaweed bread more effective and tastes better
To determine that alginate-laden meal can halt obesity, the scientists have already added the seaweed fibre to bread in powder form. And, testers reported that it tasted better, Daily reports.

Using an artificial gut, the research team tested the ability of more than 60 different natural fibres to stop the body absorbing fat of which Kelp came out on top and proved more effective than most anti-obesity treatments available over the counter.

Brownlee and colleagues believe seaweed will be a valuable weapon in the battle against obesity and its associated health risks of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

They also observed that bread with added alginate scored higher for texture than a standard white loaf.

"We have already added the alginate to bread and initial taste tests have been extremely encouraging. Now the next step is to carry out clinical trials to find out how effective they are when eaten as part of a normal diet," the research team says.

Brownlee and colleagues believe seaweed will be a valuable weapon in the battle against obesity and its associated health risks of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

“Our initial findings are that alginates significantly reduce fat digestion. This suggests that if we can add the natural fibre to products commonly eaten daily - such as bread, biscuits and yoghurts - up to three quarters of the fat contained in that meal could simply pass through the body,” Daily quoted Dr Brownlee as saying.

He added, “I would agree that people should eat more healthily and exercise more but they aren't doing that and there is maybe a need for a slightly different approach.”

Alginate is a real solution
As of their findings that the seaweed could be more effective than current weight loss products sold over the counter, Brownlee said, "There are countless claims about miracle cures for weight loss but only a few cases offer any sound scientific evidence to back up these claims.

"Alginates not only have great potential for weight management - adding them to food also has the added advantage of boosting overall fibre content.

"These initial findings suggest alginates could offer a very real solution in the battle against obesity."

Seaweed
The seaweed is processed in the laboratory to produce alginate, a tasteless and odourless off-white powder, which can be added to food to enhance fibre content.

Alginates, which are high in fibre, are already used in small amounts by manufacturers to thicken and stabilise foods. It’s also widely used in areas such as wound dressings because the body seems to recognize it as friendly rather than foreign.

Obesity is surely one of the biggest health problems being encountered in the world. Along with obesity come blood pressure problems, heart diseases etc.