Researchers in the UK say they have developed a food supplement that, when consumed, can reduce cravings for unhealthy foods like pizza but not affect the desire for healthy foods.
The researchers from Imperial College London tested the supplement, inulin-propionate ester on 20 volunteers. They found that it not only reduced cravings in those who consumed it but also resulted in them eating smaller portions.
The supplement is based on a molecule produced by gut bacteria that tells the brain when you’re full and don’t need any more food.
The latest research follows previous work into the feedback pathway. Previously, the team had shown that eating the inulin can increase the production of the molecule propionate in the intestine, which then signals the brain that no more food is needed.
They have now shown that by modifying inulin to contain propionate they could trigger gut bacteria to produce as much as 2.5 times more propionate.
The volunteers were given milkshake containing 10 grams of inulin propionate ester, or regular inulin on its own (as the control).
Then they received MRI scans and were shown pictures of a range of foods, such as salad and fish, or chocolate and cake.
Those who had consumed the inulin-propionate ester supplement had less activity in the reward regions of their brain than the control group, but only when they looked at the high-calorie foods.
Senior author Gary Frost said, “This study shows that this supplement can decrease activity in brain areas associated with food reward at the same time as reducing the amount of food they eat.”
Co-senior author Tony Goldstone noted, “These show that altering how the gut works can change not only appetite in general, but also change how the brain responds when they see high-calorie foods, and how appealing they find the foods to be.”
The study is published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.