Legendary triple-A actor, singer, and dancer Jennifer Lopez appears to have discovered the magic secret to instantly stop cravings. And what’s even better, the habit requires no medication or dietary restrictions. Glamour magazine reports that the star uses aromatherapy, but she’s not alone: A 2019 study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies found that 61% of clinicians who attended a continuing education conference reported using essential oils themselves within the past year.
Lopez says she inhales the scent of grapefruit essential oil for 15 minutes every day to curb snacking cravings. There’s no denying that essential oils and other alternative medicines have become quite popular, but research into the potential health benefits of aromatherapy is still lacking. Still, if J.Lo can vouch for it, it must be on to something. In fact, research suggests that this magic hack might not be so magical after all, and there could very well be a scientific link between grapefruit oil and appetite suppression.
Grapefruit oil and loss of appetite
Healthline explains that grapefruit oil is extracted from glands in the peel of citrus fruits using pressure. 15 minutes seems to be optimal for aromatherapy. In a 2005 animal study published in Neuroscience Letters, researchers exposed rats to the scent of grapefruit oil for 15 minutes, three times a week. The study found that the animals ate less and lost weight.
Researchers attribute grapefruit oil’s appetite-suppressing effects to a compound called limonene. This compound has been found to reduce flies’ appetite when used in combination with natural sugar (sucrose), according to a 2023 systematic review published in the International Journal of Molecular Science. The compound may exert this effect by accelerating metabolism and enhancing the transport of nutrients throughout the body, according to U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, grapefruit oil appears to activate autonomic nerves related to digestion, all of which may be related to promoting weight loss and appetite suppression.
Different Ways to Use Grapefruit Oil to Suppress Your Appetite
We all have sweet cravings from time to time, whether it’s a salty snack or a sweet treat. For Lopez, sweet cravings come and go, including after her memorable Super Bowl halftime show with Shakira in 2020. She told Entertainment Tonight that the euphoria she felt after months of preparation left her craving donuts immediately after the show. “Thank God for this. We did it!” the “Hustlers” star told the outlet. “I want to cry right now. Give me a donut, give me a donut!”
If you love donuts like Jennifer Lopez and want to curb your donut cravings on busy days, it might be worth carrying a pocket-sized bottle of grapefruit oil. If aromatherapy isn’t your thing, U.S. News & World Report instead suggests rubbing about three drops of the oil on your wrists and chest to keep the cravings at bay. While essential oils are generally not considered harmful to touch directly to the skin or to smell, you should never ingest them. Ingestion can have dangerous effects, and overdose can be fatal (according to the National Capital Poison Center).
