Diet Promises Easy Weight Loss
November 17, 2006
Just a whiff of specially developed flavor crystals could help you lose weight, according to one doctor who has been testing a method to help overweight people keep the pounds off.
Dr. Alan Hirsch founded the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. He says taste is not just on the tongue. Much depends on smell.
He came up with a series of flavor crystals that slightly intensify the smell and taste of food. According to the doctor's research, overweight people lost an average of 30 pounds over six months.
The crystals build upon that first whiff of delicious smelling food that can make our stomachs growl. As the nose tells the brain there's food nearby, we get hungry.
But Hirsch says the nose also seems to know when we're full.
As we eat, our nose picks up aroma. Experts believe a signal
is then sent to the brain, telling the stomach it's full.
The flavor enhancing crystals try to speed up that process.
"The flavors of the food are more intense now," Hirsch said.
"Because you sprinkle it, your brain is interpreting you've
eaten more than you have and thus you eat less."
Hirsch's Web site says the crystals contain nothing more
than a special blend of noncaloric scent crystals. Hirsch
found strongly sweet smells like chocolate often triggered
feelings of hunger and led to overeating, while neutral sweet
smells actually curbed appetite. Neutral sweet smells include
green apple, banana, vanilla and peppermint.
The theory of smell, taste, and weight loss can also be achieved
without the crystals. The idea is to focus on your food, chew
it slowly, and allow your body to soak in the smell, taste,
and sight.
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