April 1, 2011 07:47 by Groupie
I always get nostalgic with certain smells, but did you know smells can have other affects too? IN an article I recently read from fitbie.com, I learned that there are about 110,000 smells in nature. While children and pregnant women are much more in tune with their sense of smell, the average human recognizes 10,000 scents. Some smells can relieve stress, soothe moods and even help lose weight (Yes, I said lose weight!)
Check out some of the ways certain smells can affect you:
Slim Down: Grapefruit
Researchers at Osaka University in Japan found that exposing rats to the scent of grapefruit oil for 15-minute intervals, three times a week helped reduce not only their appetite, but their weight.
Calm Your Appetite: Green apple, banana, or peppermint
In a study at the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, overweight people smelled banana, green apple and peppermint when they felt a craving — and lost more weight than the non-sniffers.
Ramp Up Your Workout: Peppermint
Studies have shown that peppermint fragrance improves your workout, increases alertness, reduces perceived fatigue and enhances your mood.
Relieve Stress: Lavender
Men and women who smelled lavender oil experienced deeper sleep and higher levels of vigor in the morning, according to Wesleyan University researchers.
Boost Your Mood: Eucalyptus
The smell of eucalyptus oil has a stimulating effect, and may reduce exhaustion and mental sluggishness, says Nicole Vitale, senior director of The Spa at Equinox in New York City.
Cinnamon is a very soothing scent for me. How about you? What scents jog your memory or help your mood?
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