ScienceDaily published an article about an experimental study presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB). The study found that molasses extract might be useful in aiding in weight loss.
The study separated mice into three groups and fed them one of three diets: a high–fat diet, a high–fat diet supplemented with 2% molasses extract and a high—fat diet supplemented 4% molasses extract. Their diets were the same aside from the molasses.
The key finding was that the mice on the diet with the 4% molasses extract weighed less, had less body fat, and experienced decreased leptin (a hormone formed by fat cells) levels in their blood than the other mice. The molasses, which is high in polyphenols, a group of chemical compounds that are notorious for their antioxidant properties, is thought to aid in weight management and fat reduction through reduced calorie absorption. Clinical trials to test the effectiveness of molasses for weight management in people are planned for next year.
Dr. Emma Patterson pointed out that this study is very early stage: “This study on the effect of molasses extract on mice fed a high-fat diet found that it reduced body weight and body fat levels primarily through decreased absorption of calories. This doesn’t mean that we should all start adding molasses to every meal. This hypothesis now needs to be tested in overweight humans in clinical studies, and also with healthier, lower-fat diets.”
You can read ScienceDaily’s article about the study here.
Weight Loss Studies & Clinical