A new dieting fad has reared it’s head – the See Diet – tried it yet?

Have you been on every diet known to mankind? Can’t be bothered to work out? (errr, definitely) Or you just don’t have enough time to cook healthy foods? Don’t worry, a new set of crazy Japanese inventors may have revolutionised dieting just for you and I. If you want to shed pounds quickly, then you might just be desperate enough to try the Blue Sunglasses Diet or industry named ‘see-diet’. We've got a gut feeling that Ozzy Osborne may have unwittingly inspired this one.

What is it, I hear you shout; Well, dieters have to wear a pair of sunglasses containing deep blue lenses that are supposed to turn off your appetite. By not only making the food look repulsive, but the colour blue is also associated with suppressing the brain’s appetite centre, at the same time blocking red rays of light, which stimulate the same appetite centre. There may be some truth to this, because have you ever noticed how fast food signs are in warm colours like red, orange, and yellow? Apparently when Burger King changed its logo to include blue sales went down – or was that just due to the ridiculous prices they charge for a grilled burger? Debatable.

Research indicates that eyeglasses and sunglasses have traditionally been designed to filter out blue light rather than to highlight it. These glasses work on the premise that colours affect mood. The short wavelengths of blue light makes it harder for eyes to focus and it also emphasizes dust and moisture in the air, creating a hazy look. The colour blue is also associated with such feelings as calmness, thus limiting the amount of calories we consume. All sounds a bit zen-like heh?

According to one of the the whacky scientists from the company, Yumetai, there is another possible explanation for the glasses’ claimed effectiveness.

Here comes the science bit (stick with it as it's not as boring as it first appears):

Serotonin also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine is a hormone in the pineal gland, the digestive tract, the central nervous system, and blood platelets. This is a chemical substance that transmits nerve impulses across the space between nerve cells or neurons. Serotonin has been connected with various effects on mood, sleep and appetite. The scientists believe that the blue lenses will increase ones serotonin levels in turn making you less inclined to eat - by making food look unappetising.

A Japanese television program first reported back in May 2005, that when the city of Glasgow, Scotland, changed some of their orange street lights to blue lights a strange effect was noticed: Glaswegians suddenly mellowed out and the city’s crime rate dropped. Some attributed the change to an increase in serotonin in the residents’ brains.

Gripping isn’t it, we love the science bit. Taking these factors into account, could these 25 gram, aviator style diet glasses really do the trick? Well considering how many pills are popped, sweat wasted on workouts and the billions a year spent on diet books and nutritional supplements, this would definitely be an inexpensive, safe and low-tech solution for dieters. In fact the only side effect may be how ridiculous you look wearing them.

Let’s be honest many fattening foods already looks disgusting but that doesn't seem to stop those intent on stuffing their faces, but costing as little as 1.890 yen (roughly £12) and with unverified reports that actor Johnny Depp keeps slim with blue sunglasses, it may be time for a new approach – plus what have you got to lose? Other than your appetite!

All you have to is put your glasses on and watch the weight just drop off. If you want to put the diet sunglasses to the test, you can order online from the Yumetai website. We’d love to know how you get on, and of course, it’s obligatory that you send us photos of yourself in the specs ;-)

Author: Ben Reynolds