Crystals use smell to trick you into weight loss

Crystals use smell to trick you into weight loss
Scented crystals that aid weight loss by convincing the brain that the body does not need to eat have been developed by scientists.



By Nick Collins
Published: 7:30AM GMT 08 Nov 2010

When scattered over food, the aroma of the crystals is enough to trick you into thinking you are full, even if you have only eaten a few morsels.

The weight loss aid, which comes in several artificial flavours such as cheese, horse radish and coffee, is scheduled to be made available in Britain next year.

Six-month trials on more than 1,400 dieters resulted in an average weight loss of two stones by obese patients, and will be followed by a five-year study involving 1,000 participants.

Experts claim the crystals could provide lasting health benefits, unlike some other methods of losing weight.

Dr Alan Hirsch, the neurologist who developed the crystals, said the smell of food – which accounts for up to 90 per cent of the "taste" of food – can be used to trigger a "fullness" message in the brain which then tells the body it is full.

The crystals, known as Sensa granules, are already available in health food shops in America and are being prepared for release in Canada, Mexico and Germany.

Dominic Dwyer, a neuropsychologist from Cardiff University, told the Sunday Times the idea made "perfect sense" but warned: "A mouth-watering smell from food can simply make us eat more. This stuff would have to be very carefully used."