May promote fat loss

According to some research, the wasabi plant's edible leaves include substances that may inhibit the growth and development of fat cells. In a mouse experiment, a substance called 5-Hydroxyferulic acid methyl ester (5-HFA ester), which was extracted from wasabi leaves, prevented the growth and development of fat cells by silencing a gene involved in the production of fat. Similar to this, a 6-week mice study found that stopping the formation of fat cells daily with 1.8 grams of wasabi leaf extract per pound (4 grams per kg) of body weight was effective.

Furthermore, a study demonstrated that wasabi leaf extract inhibited the development and synthesis of fat cells in mice fed a high-fat, high-calorie diet, preventing weight gain. These findings, albeit encouraging, came from tests on animals and in test tubes. The effects of wasabi leaf extract on people require further study.