Scientists at Stanford Medicine in the United States have found a molecule called BRP that can reduce hunger in animals. They used artificial intelligence to find this natural molecule in the human body. When the researchers gave BRP to mice and small pigs, the animals ate up to 50% less food and lost body fat, but they kept most of their muscle.

The scientists discovered BRP because they wanted to find a way to help people lose weight without common side effects. Most weight-loss drugs can cause nausea and stomach problems. However, BRP works mainly in the brain’s hunger centre, so animals did not show these problems during the study.

This discovery could lead to a new treatment for obesity. However, BRP has not been tested on people yet. The research team has started a company to prepare for future human trials.