Free brain training app promises to help you lose weight - but does it work?

Dieting can be expensive – gym memberships, slimming clubs and ‘healthier’ foods come at a price. Little wonder then that the global weight loss industry is worth over £220billion. But now there’s a free app developed by psychologists from Exeter University which promises to train the brain to stop reaching for unhealthy foods and reduce calorie intake.

Does it work? Well, I tried it and results were promising.

Professor Natalia Lawrence’s FoodTrainer (FoodT) is a simple computer game that “trains individuals to inhibit responding to foods or drinks that they would like to consume less of”.

According to the University of Exeter, a study of 83 adults revealed those who played the game four times in one week lost weight and ate an average of 220 kcal less per day – roughly equivalent to a chocolate-iced doughnut.

The academics found playing the game without distractions for a few minutes a day can train the brain to control those pesky impulses to reach for crisps, chocolate and booze. The app collects user’s data anonymously allowing the team to continue their research in measuring the efficacy of the game.

One participant in the study, Fiona Furness, said her weight fell from around 11 stone to around nine stone after taking part in the trial. “The pounds just melted away.” She said. “I used to feel really guilty about my bad snacking habits. I’d often be rushing about, and I’d grab something high calorie and unsatisfying – often a pack of crisps. I’d be hungry again really soon afterwards so it became a vicious cycle. The results have been remarkable.

“The weight loss wasn’t really my goal though – I feel younger and more energetic. Perhaps I’m particularly susceptible to this kind of brain training, but it has been transformative for me.”

Exciting stuff, right? Well I tried out the app myself for two weeks playing it on average about twice a day. The game works by flashing up different healthy and unhealthy foods as well as seemingly random objects such as flowers and clothes. Players must tap all foods and objects circled in green and avoid those circled in red. Points are deducted for hitting red objects.

In terms of playability it’s pretty dull and unchallenging, but hey, we’re not in it for rewarding gameplay if the desired results are attainable, right? The University of Exeter says “the Food Training game is based on the concept of “response inhibition training” to reduce overeating and drinking and make people pause before impulsively reaching for their favourite food or drink.”

Well, playing the game did make me pause before making “poor choices”. So it worked. I have to say though, I did only pause but I must plead extenuating circumstances here as I tried the app right after my birthday and I’d been gifted a box of assorted Ferrero Rocher. Assorted! The coconut ones were a revelation.

If you’re looking for something to compliment your weight loss efforts FoodTrainer is definitely worth a go. 64% of adults in the UK are overweight; obesity comes a slew of dangers including heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Making steps towards a healthier lifestyle not only reduces your risk of developing an associated condition but by using this app you’d be contributing data (anonymously) towards a very worthwhile cause.

Lucy Porter, a PHD student working with the team, advised the game be used with a dose of patience. She said, “The effects of this training are actually quite small but this is a good thing, it’s not going to disrupt your life, it’s not going to be a complete overhaul, it’s going to be small and sustainable changes that hopefully will see you into a healthier lifestyle that you can maintain.”

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