A study by the Centre for Food Innovation found that participants who ate bread enriched with the alga Ascophyllum nodosum were less hungry and consumed fewer calories than when they ate a normal 'control' bread in an identical test a week later.
Researchers say the reduced energy intake caused by eating seaweed-enriched bread may be helpful in weight management.
The study, supported by the Seaweed Health Foundation, tested the effect of the seaweed-enriched bread eaten at breakfast time on energy intake at lunch time in 12 overweight, but otherwise healthy males.
These results suggest that seaweed presents an attractive option for food manufacturers by aiming to maximise the health-giving potential of their products, which are rich in dietary fibre.
Contact: Sheffield Hallam University