Imagine finally conquering your hunger cravings that always seem to derail your weight loss efforts. Well, Swedish researchers have uncovered a superfood extract found in spinach that could help you achieve that, and even supercharge your weight loss goals. Time to take a closer look at this exciting discovery and see how it works.
The Key Ingredient: Thylakoids
Scientists at Lund University in Sweden have discovered that an extract found in spinach, which contains green leaf membranes known as thylakoids, can potentially reduce cravings by a whopping 95 percent and increase weight loss by more than 40 percent.
This ground-breaking study aimed to measure the effect of the spinach extract on hedonic hunger. If you’re not familiar with that term, it’s essentially the cravings we experience for sweets and fast food that prevent us from reaching our weight loss goals. Researchers found that the presence of thylakoids in spinach supports the body’s secretion of hormones that signal fullness, thereby eliminating hedonic hunger. As a result, our appetite is better regulated, making it easier to maintain healthier food choices and lose weight.
Charlotte Erlanson-Albertsson, a professor of medicine and physiological chemistry at Lund, explains, “Our analyses show that having a drink containing thylakoids before breakfast reduces cravings and keeps you feeling more satisfied all day.”
In a three-month study, participants who consumed the spinach extract in the morning experienced fewer food cravings and were able to lose significantly more weight than those who did not consume thylakoids.
The Science Behind It
Why do thylakoids have this effect on our digestion? According to the researchers working on this study, processed food we consume is digested incredibly quickly. This means that our intestinal hormones, which are responsible for signaling our brain that we’ve eaten enough, struggle to register satiety. Thylakoids help by slowing down the digestion process and allowing the intestinal hormones to do their job—telling our brain to stop taking in more food.
Erlanson-Albertsson clarifies, “It is about making use of the time it takes to digest our food. There is nothing wrong with our digestive system, but it doesn’t work well with the modern ‘pre-chewed’ food. The thylakoids extend digestion, producing a feeling of satiety. This means that we are able to stick to the diet we are meant for without snacks and unnecessary foods like sweets, crisps, and such.”
Spinach Smoothies To The Rescue?
While the study didn’t investigate the effects of simply incorporating spinach into one’s diet, it’s reasonable to assume that regularly consuming this nutrient-rich, leafy green could provide similar (if not quite as potent) effects as the extract. Therefore, a spinach-based smoothie in the morning might be worth a try if you’re looking for a simple way to enjoy the benefits of thylakoids.
A Recipe For Success
Looking for a tasty and effective way to add spinach into your morning routine? Here’s a simple spinach smoothie recipe that could help curb your cravings:
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder (optional)
- A handful of ice
Blend all ingredients together until smooth, and enjoy!
In Conclusion
The discovery of the role spinach extract and thylakoids play in curbing cravings and supporting weight loss is an exciting breakthrough in the field of nutrition and weight management. As more research is conducted, we’ll likely uncover even more benefits associated with this powerful, natural ingredient.
For now, incorporating spinach into your diet could be a simple and effective way to help reduce cravings and better manage your weight loss, making it easy and delicious to achieve healthier food choices and weight loss success.
