New research suggests that spinach can curb hunger and cravings.

The green leafy vegetables contain a concentrated extract of thylakoids, which encourage the release of satiety hormones. This slows down fat digestion, which is beneficial in controlling hunger, focusnews.com reported.

"The reduction in huger and the desire for salty food that we saw in this study might make thylakoids particularly useful for people with high blood pressure and associated weight problems," co-author Frank L. Greenway said in a statement.

For the study, researchers collected and analyzed data from 60 people to examine 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, Newsmax reported.

Volunteers who classified as overweight or obese took part in a double-blind randomized crossover study. They consumed either the spinach extract or a placebo in random order at least a week apart. Using blood samples, their lipid and glucose levels were measured before a normal breakfast, followed by a dose of the extract and standard lunch four hours later. After another four hours, pizza was served, and throughout the interval, various blood tests and responses were gathered.

Researchers found that the spinach extract containing thylakoids increased satiety over a two-hour period compared to a placebo. There were no differences in plasma lipids and energy intake at dinner, but males showed a trend toward decreased energy intake.

Thylakoid consumption may influence gender-specific food cravings -- in a previous study, it was found that in women, a reduced urge for sweets was significant after a single dose of the spinach extract and the reduced urge for sweets was sustained throughout the study.

The findings are detailed in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.