Seaweed for lunch anyone? Japanese chemists have recently learned that chemicals found in brown seaweed (but not present in large amount in green and red seaweed) may help to fight fat, particularly in the abdomen.

The chemical compound, called fucoxanthin, is a brownish pigment that gives brown seaweed color and helps to convert light to energy within the plant. It is used as flavoring in Asian soups and salads.

But don't run right out and fill your shopping cart with seaweed yet. Studies are in the very early stages - and being done on mice, not humans. Even if human studies support the theory that fucoxanthin is a fat-busting chemical, you'd have to eat huge quantities of seaweed to lose significant amounts of fat.

The hope is that eventually fucoxanthin will be developed into an anti-obesity pill.