CRISP fans scoff half as many if they munch along to easy listening music, a study suggests.

       Comfort eaters’ intake fell between 40 and 54 per cent if they listened to the likes of Michael Bublé, rather than scoffing in silence.

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       Experts think the rhythmic sound of chomping on crisps has an assuring effect that encourages overeating Credit: Alamy Stock Vector

       Experts think the rhythmic sound of chomping on crisps has an assuring effect that encourages overeating — but that music helps cancel this out.

       Lead researchers Dr Annemieke Van den Tol from Lincoln University and Dr Helen Coulthard of De Montfort University, said music can also help regulate mood.

       Writing in the journal Appetite, the team said: “We have provided evidence of the possibility that music listening may also be used effectively to reduce the urge to overeat.”

       Around two in three UK adults are overweight or obese — with snacking blamed.

       Emotional eating usually occurs when people are stressed, sad, bored or anxious.

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       The study involved 120 women, who were asked to recall sad memories.

       They then listened to music, or were left in silence for three minutes, before taking part in the snack test.

       Those who ate with no background sound consumed 8.37 grams of crisps. But depending on the songs, the music group ate between 3.83 and five grams.

       Dr Van den Tol added: “Music listening and eating are shown to trigger a dopamine (happy hormone) response.

       “So, for instance, if you play music to people when they are eating snacks when they are stressed or sad, they will not need to overeat.”

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