"Prevent Overeating with a Pre-Meal Drink: Japanese Researchers Demonstrate the Slimming Habit of 'Vegetable Bouillon'"

Instead of "what to reduce," it's about "what to add." Japanese researchers have demonstrated an astonishingly simple method: consuming approximately 160ml of vegetable broth before the main meal. In an experiment conducted by Osaka University, it was found that drinking vegetable broth without added salt or oil before lunch significantly reduced rice intake without decreasing the feeling of fullness (participants were healthy adults consuming a set meal style). The concept of "soup preload" with low energy density has been confirmed in past clinical trials to naturally curb meal intake, and meta-analyses have reported that the form and viscosity of food play a key role in preventing overeating. Furthermore, the latest research in Japan has shown that simply eating rice "last" in a set meal can help control postprandial blood sugar levels. This article will thoroughly explain, with evidence, how to seamlessly incorporate this "pre-meal cup + eating order" into Japanese dining habits, including recipes, practical protocols, adaptations for dining out and convenience store meals, as well as the benefits and precautions for weight loss and health.