Agar agar is a highly popular ingredient in the culinary world. As seaweed extract, it is completely safe to be consumed by vegetarians and vegans alike. That is why it’s often used as a stabilizer or setting agent in place of gelatin.
But apart from its setting properties for desserts and other dishes, agar agar is also known for its contribution to weight loss programs. Those who have reportedly used the ingredient in specific diets swear by its efficacy. Whereas, those who are looking to lose weight are intrigued by this usage.
To help you find out whether agar agar can be used to shed some extra pounds, here’s a lowdown on the ingredient and what it can do for a weight loss diet.
Agar Agar is a Mix of Plant-based Carbohydrates
Agar agar is essentially a mix of carbohydrates that are derived from seaweed. However, the amount of these carbs in a single serving of agar agar doesn’t affect your weight negatively.
Essentially, 100 grams of dried agar agar has just over 80 grams of carbs. However, seeing that you can use roughly 10 grams of agar agar to set a liter of fluids, the amount of carbs remains a nonissue when you use this seaweed extract.
Apart from its little to no calories and carbs, agar agar helps you lose weight with its high fiber content. With it, the ingredient also gives you a sense of fulfillment in your diet.
How Does the Ingredient Help You With Weight Loss?
As mentioned above, agar agar is used as a setting agent in place of gelatin. By using the ingredient in water-based drinks or vegetable juice, you can essentially make up solid meals out of healthy liquids.
By consuming fluids set with agar agar, you can satisfy your hunger without increasing your daily intake of calories. As a result, you can burn more calories than you eat, which helps you with weight loss in the long run.
But if setting vegetable juices and other healthy liquids into solid cubes doesn’t sound that appealing to you, you can simply consume agar agar in a beverage.
This particular approach requires you to mix agar agar extract into warm tea and take it about 10-15 minutes before your meal. This also curbs your hunger and helps you lose weight.
The Ingredient’s Efficacy Depends Upon Various Factors
While many users of agar agar sing praises of its effects in controlling their appetite, the scientific evidence remains minimal. That is why, it is essential that you move forward with this approach as an alternative method to weight loss and not a primary program.
With that being said, agar agar is a completely natural ingredient that is free of any harmful chemicals. As a result, it is safe to consume and doesn’t cause any risks to most healthy adults. But if you are on any medications or have underlying conditions, it’s important to discuss the use of agar agar with your primary physician before you move forward with it.
Considering all factors: If you consume agar agar along with regular exercise and a balanced diet, it can help you lose weight without any issues. But similar to other approaches, it’s critical to maintain a balance in the usage of this natural ingredie
