Wednesday, July 14, 2010

High Fiber For Menopausal Weight Loss

Loaf of dark rye breadImage via Wikipedia

So many middle aged women suffer from the menopausal weight gain. Eating a high-fibre breakfast may increase feelings of satiety and lead to reduced food intake later in the day, says a new study from Sweden.

While the effects of eating a fibre-rich diet are well documented in the literature, reports on how cereal fiber from rye may increase feelings of fullness are lacking, according to researchers from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

Writing in the Nutrition Journal, the Swedish researchers report that consuming a rye breakfast suppressed appetite over the following 3 hours more than a wheat breakfast.

In addition, the strongest effect on satiety was achieved by rye bread formulated with rye bran.

The scientists collaborated with Swedish bakery cooperative Lantmännen R&D, which also financed and produced the test products.

“The levels of rye used in the breads were based on realistic amounts to create palatable, voluminous bread,” explained the researchers, led by Hanna Isaksson.

“The bread portion, together with additional breakfast foods, comprised what would be considered a normal breakfast meal. The amount of calories corresponded to recommended breakfast intake.”

Satiety is seen as a key target in the battle against menopausal weight gain, with figures from Europe showing that up to 27 per cent of men, 38 per cent of women, and 3 million children are clinically obese in some parts of the bloc.

The retail market for weight management products was estimated by Euromonitor International to be worth US$0.93bn (€0.73) in Europe in 2005 and $3.93bn in the US, indicating that call to slim down or face the health consequences is being heeded by a slice of the overweight population at least.

Foods marketed for satiety enhance feelings of fullness after eating, acting as a boost to a person's will-power and helping them avoid a reversion to old habits in a bid to stave off hunger pangs, or 'grazing' in between meals....read more

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