This nasal spray can mask food aroma, and beat hunger

LONDON - A nasal spray that masks the smell of food could help curb hunger or yearing for food.

Louisiana State University researchers in the US have discovered that a type of drug used to lower blood pressure can also curb appetite and lead to weight loss.

The drug CP404 is a calcium channel blocker. Calcium produced by the body can narrow blood vessels and raise blood pressure.

Calcium-channel blockers work by helping the blood vessels relax, lowering pressure, a Daily Mail report said.

However, calcium is also thought to play a role in the sense of smell. Results from the first human trial of the spray show it blocked the sense of smell compared with a simple saline spray and had no side-effects, according to a university statement.

As a result, participants were less interested in food and also consumed less.