Perhaps there's a reason why I haven't noticed a lot of overweight people of Asian descent in my travels: one of the key ingredients in Asian soups and salads may contain an anti-obesity compound.

Recent studies in animals suggest that brown seaweed, or wakame, contains a compound that promotes weight loss, and has anti-diabetes side effects.

Besides these benefits, previous studies have suggested that the compound (called fucoxanthin) also helps promote the demise of prostate cancer cells in culture.

Even though more study is needed, I'd say these reasons are enough for me to start scoping out some brown seaweed, and perhaps slurping a few more of those delicious Asian soups.