Conventional weight-loss diets usually tell us that spicy food - or food that's too strongly flavored in any case - should be avoided at all costs if we're trying to reach a healthy target weight, since they irritate the stomach and the lining of the intestines and cause our bodies a lot of problems. However, a recent study proved that with a little twist, an extra boost of flavor to our food - achieved via calorie-free seasonings and sweeteners - can actually do us a world of good, helping us feel full faster and eat less.

These salt and sugar-free savory and sweet crystals have been generically called "tastants", as they effectively stimulate our sense of taste. Research carried out by the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago tested the effects of adding tastants to neutral-tasting food on the diets and overall state of health of a number of 2,436 overweight or obese people.

The study concluded that within six months, the use of tastants helped over half the study participants lose an average of 30.5 pounds and decrease their BMI by an average of five points. The participants had no idea as to exactly what flavor the tastant crystals were. Savory tastants included cheddar cheese, onion, horseradish, ranch dressing, taco, and Parmesan cheese, while the sweet tastants were cocoa, spearmint, banana, strawberry, raspberry and malt.

There are several explanations as to why this happened. One of them is that tastants make people feel full faster, which means that they will consume a smaller amount of food. Another possible explanation was that tastants improved the flavor of food we know is healthy but lacks taste - which makes many of us keen to avoid it. Tofu and some vegetables come under this heading, which means that tastants make bland food more palatable, thus leading to healthier eating habits.

Although tastants as such are not available to mass consumption yet, Dr. Alan Hirsh, founder and neurology director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation is convinced that enhancing out senses of smell and taste will help us lose weight. "Sniff your food before you eat it. Chew it a lot. Choose low-calorie foods and season them", he advises. So, what are you waiting for? Head to your local grocery store and see what you can find. It's easy and enjoyable for our senses - so why not take advantage of this revelation?