There are so many reasons to eat spinach. It is part of the cruciferous vegetable family and is well known as one of the most nutritious vegetables on the planet. It is packed with almost every nutrient imaginable, and with nutrition comes health benefits.
A new study now shows that spinach reduces food cravings. The study focuses on an extract from spinach called thylakoids found in spinach can increase satiety and curb food cravings. Thylakoids work by releasing satiety hormones, which helps slow down digestion of fats.
The study examined the effect of a single dose of thylakoids on satiety, food intake, lipids, and glucose when compared to the placebo group. Sixty participants (30 male and 30 female) who were considered overweight or obese took part in the double-blind randomized crossover study.
They were given either the spinach extract or a placebo randomly at least a week apart. The researchers then used blood samples to measure lipid and glucose levels before a normal breakfast, followed by a dose of spinach extract and a normal lunch four hours later. After another four hours, pizza was served, and blood tests were administered throughout the study.
The results showed that the spinach extract increased satiety over a two-hour period when compared to the placebo.
Frank L. Greenway MD, co-author of the study summarizes:
[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#228B22″ class=”” size=”3″]”The reduction in hunger and the desire for salty food that we saw in this study might make thylakoids particularly useful for people with high blood pressure and associated weight problems.”[/pullquote]
The study showing that spinach reduces food cravings was published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
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REFERENCES:
1. “Effects of Spinach Extract on Satiety: Feel Full, Curb Cravings.” AlphaGalileo. Taylor & Francis, 31 July 2015. Web. 03 Aug. 2015.
2. “Acute Effects of a Spinach Extract Rich in Thylakoids on Satiety: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.” Taylor & Francis. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 01 June 2015. Web. 03 Aug. 2015.
