When most Americans think of seaweed, they probably conjure images of a slimy plant they encounter at the beach.
In a new study from the University of Connecticut, researchers found seaweed can be a nutritious food too.
They discovered that Connecticut-grown sugar kelp may help prevent weight gain and the onset of conditions related to obesity.
The findings support the nutritional benefits of Connecticut-grown sugar kelp.
In the study, the team tested the differences between three groups of mouse models.
They found brown sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) inhibits liver inflammation and fibrosis in a diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The group that ate sugar kelp had lower body weight and less adipose tissue inflammation—a key factor in a host of obesity-related diseases—than the other high-fat group.
Consuming sugar kelp also helped prevent the development of steatosis, the accumulation of fat in the liver.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a condition often associated with obesity that can cause inflammation and reduced functionality in the liver.
The mice on the sugar kelp diet also had healthier gut microbiomes. The microbiome is a collection of bacteria and other microorganisms in and around our bodies.
The diversity and composition of the microbiome are key to maintaining a host of health functions.
This is the first scientific evidence for the health benefits of the Connecticut-grown sugar kelp and is the first time researchers have looked at the link between US-grown sugar kelp and obesity.
The team hopes that gathering concrete data on the health benefits of sugar kelp could encourage people to consume seaweed.
If you care about obesity and your health, please read studies about this anti-obesity drug can lead to large weight loss and this appetite drug may help treat obesity effectively.
For more information about obesity prevention and treatment, please see recent studies about this ‘game-changer’ drug can treat obesity by cutting body weight by 20% and results showing that this stuff in oranges may reduce obesity and prevent diabetes.
The study is published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. One author of the study is Young-Ki Park.
Copyright © 2021 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
