It turns to gel in the stomach to help suppress hunger
Satisfit-LTG, is a modified version of methylcellulose: a food additive commonly used as a binding agent in ready meals, baked goods and snack foods.
However, the German company behind the ingredient, Dow Wolff Cellulosics, said that if further trials proved it could be of benefit to dieters, the ingredient would be suitable for use in a variety of cold foods and drinks including yogurts, fruit shakes and smoothies to aid weight management.
In initial trials, volunteers who ate food containing the product went on to consume 13% fewer calories.
Methylcellulose is a white powder that dissolves in cold water and, when heated, turns into a gelatin-like material that holds ingredients together.
In its normal state, the ingredient passes through the stomach very quickly, but Dow Wolff, which makes methylcellulose, argues it can be modified to form a gel at body temperature, so it remains in the stomach for longer and is absorbed by the small intestine.
The firm is planning further trials based on its early-stage "proof-of-concept" experiment.
Dr Carsten Huettermann, from Dow Wolff, said: "In our first study, we saw that fewer calories were consumed at the following meal after eating our new product."
He added: "Our next step now is to investigate in further studies the mechanism of action and whether this may have an impact on weight management."
The Food Standards Agency has granted preliminary approval as a novel 'anti-hunger' ingredient.
