Dr. Oz - Smell & Appetite

Everyone knows that smell and taste are inextricably linked.  The aroma of freshly popped popcorn at the movie theatre entices us to buy some.....and the smell of a backyard barbecue can get the ol' salivary glands working.

Of course, losing your sense of smell can also affect how we taste things. When you have a cold, it is common that you can't taste your food because your nose is blocked.

But did you know that smell can also suppress appetite? Happily, yes! Merely smelling grapefruit or peppermint essential oils can make your food cravings more manageable!! YES!! It's true!! And backed up by no other than Dr. Oz himself!! Here is what he has to say about the smell of grapefruit: "Preliminary studies in animals show that the scent of grapefruit oil—yes, just the scent—has an effect of reducing the appetite and body weight (rats exposed to the scents for 15 minutes three times a week enjoyed the effect). The cause? It's unclear, but it may work through grapefruit oil's effects on liver enzymes."

And peppermint? Dr. Oz, again: "You may be able to get some extra willpower against the munchies by following your nose. In a study, inhaling the scent of peppermint every couple of hours helped people eat less overall—and eat better. By the end of the 2-week study, the people who had sniffed peppermint every couple of hours during the day had also consumed fewer calories and eaten less fat, less saturated fat, and less sugar than the nonsniffers did. Bonus: Peppermint also reduces feelings of hunger."

Other studies back up Dr. Oz. Why not try eScential Wellness "Food Craving Tamer?" It's an inhaler that you can keep in your purse or pocket, and discreetly sniff when you need a little motivation to avoid overeating. Check it out here: http://escentialwellness.com/products/food-craving-tamer