Research at the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation found that when overweight people enhaled a blend of peppermint, banana and green apple aromas whenever they felt like eating, they lost considerable weight during six months, despite being instructed not to deviate from other usual diet and excercise habits.

“It may be the aromas satisfy cravings become 90 percent of what we call taste is really smell,” explains Alan R. Hirsch. M.D. director of the Chicago-based foundation.