Non-food odorants reduce chocolate cravings

The present study compared the relative effectiveness of simple, commercially available food and non-food olfactory tasks on chocolate craving reduction. Chocolate cravings were induced by a series of coloured photographs and 67 undergraduate women were asked to smell one of three odours (green apple, jasmine, or water). The non-food odorant (jasmine) significantly reduced chocolate cravings relative to both the food and control odorants. Thus simple non-food odorants offer potential scope as a technique for curbing unwanted food cravings.

► Food cravings are a risk factor for the development of problem eating behaviour.
► We examined the effect of olfactory stimulation on chocolate craving reduction.
► Exposure to a non-food odorant reduced cravings for chocolate.
► Commercially available non-food odorants offer potential scope as a practical tool for reducing food cravings.