Hunger is based upon a biological desire that is very hard to resist...
And even if something is reliably shown to stave off hunger pangs in a 24-hour feeding study in a laboratory, is the effect sustainable, and would the results be the same in real world conditions?
In other words, if you have that bowl of satisfying oatmeal every morning, will it stop you snacking mid-morning, every morning, for days, and weeks, and months - and actually help you manage your weight?
This is what the next generation of studies is focused on determining, said Professor Blundell.
However, while there are many other variables that determine what, when and how much we eat - from social factors to mood, environment, and portion size - hunger is still critical, he argued:
"Of course your environment can stimulate over-consumption, but my view is that hunger is extremely important as it is based upon a biological desire that is very hard to resist, and satisfying it also gives us real pleasure."