Scent Affects Appetite! Doctors Reveal Two Aromas That Can Reduce Sweet Cravings
Medical experts say mint and citrus aromas may help reduce cravings for sweets during weight loss, while vanilla scent can increase them, as scent signals directly influence brain regions controlling appetite.
Scent affects appetite! Doctors reveal two aromas that can reduce sweet cravings and recommend using them during weight management periods, while also identifying which scents increase hunger.
Compiled by Sanook Online News Team May 4, 2025
According to foreign media reports, medical experts have revealed that "scent" may play a role in appetite control, particularly during weight loss when many people struggle to resist sweets.
Recent research suggests that inhaling certain scents may temporarily reduce cravings for sweet foods.
Dr. Zhou Jianyuan, a weight management specialist, noted that based on everyday observations of essential oil products, different scents affect feelings differently. Upon further research, studies have shown a connection between scent and appetite. Specifically, mint and citrus aromas may help reduce cravings for sweets like chocolate, while vanilla scent may increase sweet cravings.
Additionally, research on people with eating difficulties found that briefly inhaling black pepper scent before meals may increase appetite and swallowing ability, showing that scent not only reduces appetite but can also stimulate it in certain cases.
Doctors explain that this mechanism involves brain function, where scent signals are sent directly to brain regions controlling emotions, reward, and appetite, such as the hypothalamus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus, which influence whether we feel hungry or full. In essence, scent can "guide" the brain's appetite to some degree.
For those on a weight loss program experiencing sweet cravings, doctors recommend trying mint or citrus scents to help redirect attention and temporarily reduce cravings. Conversely, to avoid triggering additional appetite, one may avoid vanilla or black pepper scents in daily life.
However, doctors emphasize that current research is still in early stages and mostly uses specific essential oil concentrations, so results may vary individually. This method should not be used as a primary weight loss strategy. Effective weight management still relies primarily on balanced nutrition and regular exercise, with scent use serving only as a supplementary technique.
Source: ETtoday
