Only rarely does an entirely new food cross my path, and this one is fascinating. Lupins are the prettiest of wild flowers as well as English Garden familiars; I have seen meadows of them in bloom and greeted them as friends all over the world.
The thought of them as a potential food crop can't help but bring a mental picture of the added benefit to agriculture of incredible beauty.
A recent study suggests that "increasing the protein and fiber content of meals through the use of lupin-kernel flour may increase satiety and reduce energy intake, thereby playing a potential role in helping to achieve weight loss." The authors conclude, "Thus, LKF is a novel food ingredient that could be incorporated into a range of products that might benefit appetite regulation."" The substance seems to reduce ghrelin** concentrations.
I can't wait to hand this bouquet to my local bakery!
Lupin-Enriched Bread Increases Satiety
**Ghrelin is a hormone produced by the stomach which seems to increase feelings of hunger.
