title: Acute Effects of a Spinach Extract Rich in Thylakoids on Satiety: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  By retarding fat digestion, thylakoids, the internal photosynthetic membrane system of green plants, promote the release of satiety hormones. This study examined the effect of consuming a single dose of concentrated extract of thylakoids from spinach on satiety, food intake, lipids, and glucose compared to a placebo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty overweight and obese individuals enrolled in a double-blind randomized crossover study consumed the spinach extract or placebo in random order at least a week apart. Blood was drawn for assessments of lipids and glucose before a standard breakfast meal, followed 4 hours later by a 5 g dose of the extract and a standard lunch. Visual analog scales were administered before lunch and at intervals until an ad libitum pizza dinner served 4 hours later. Two hours after lunch a second blood draw was conducted. Mixed models were used to analyze response changes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to placebo, consuming the spinach extract reduced hunger (p < 0.01) and longing for food over 2 hours (p < 0.01) and increased postprandial plasma glucose concentrations (p < 0.01). There were no differences in plasma lipids and energy intake at dinner, but males showed a trend toward decreased energy intake (p = 0.08).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At this dose, the spinach extract containing thylakoids increases satiety over a 2-hour period compared to a placebo. Thylakoid consumption may influence gender-specific food cravings.
authors.affiliation: a Pennington Biomedical Research Center.|b School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Louisiana State University System , Baton Rouge , Louisiana ;
authors.forename: Candida J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Rebello
authors.affiliation: c Louisiana State University School of Medicine , New Orleans , Louisiana ;
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: a Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
authors.forename: Robbie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beyl
authors.affiliation: d Greenleaf Medical AB , Stockholm , SWEDEN ;
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Edwall
authors.affiliation: e Department of Experimental Medical Science, Appetite Regulation Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University , Lund , SWEDEN.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erlanson-Albertsson
authors.affiliation: a Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
authors.forename: Frank L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Greenway
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D050177:Overweight / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019518:Postprandial Period; D012527:Satiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012737:Sex Factors; D018724:Spinacia oleracea / Q000737:chemistry*; D020524:Thylakoids / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: fat digestion; food cravings; satiety; spinach; thylakoids