Scientists have invented a device that stops people eating by holding their mouths shut.
The University of Otago in New Zealand says the DentalSlim Diet Control is a "world-first weight-loss device to help fight the global obesity epidemic".
They said it is fitted by a dentist, and only allows people to open their mouth 2mm, "restricting them to a liquid diet".
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"It allows free speech and doesn't restrict breathing," they clarified on the University website.
The University said a trial in the city of Dunedin-based people caused subjects to lose an average of 6.36kg in two weeks.
Lead researcher, University of Otago Health Sciences Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Brunton, said the invention was "effective, safe, and affordable".
https://twitter.com/otago/status/1409330977046945798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"The main barrier for people for successful weight loss is compliance and this helps them establish new habits, allowing them to comply with a low-calorie diet for a period of time," he said
"It really kick-starts the process."
However, people on Twitter called the invasion "horrific" and and compared it to a medieval torture device.
https://twitter.com/pezmico/status/1409378892935176196?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwMeanwhile, the British Dental Journal reported some of the seven people on the trial "had trouble pronouncing some words," but "felt tense and embarrassed only occasionally."
It noted: "One patient admitted to 'cheating', consuming melted chocolate and fizzy drinks."
https://twitter.com/otago/status/1409368110402990089?ref_src=twsrc%5EtfwAfter the backlash, the University tweeted that the device could be removed after two or three weeks, was not a quick or long-term weight loss tool, and was aimed to help people lose weight for surgery.
