A pair of chopsticks that replicate the taste of salt by stimulating the tongue have been developed to help people with health issues follow a better diet.

The device called ‘Taste-Adjusting Chopsticks' uses electric currents on taste buds to trick the brain into perceiving saltiness on otherwise bland foods such as rice and soup.

Tokyo-based designers behind the invention said their chopsticks could make the food taste 1.5 times saltier without needing to add extra seasoning.

Researchers believe that the wearable device, which also comes in a variant that could be connected to a laptop for advanced modifications, could help people who need low-sodium diets enjoy tasty food without compromising their health.

Food and beverage company Kirin Holdings, the private company partner of Meiji University for the research said: ‘We have developed an electrical stimulation waveform that controls perceived saltiness with a weak electric current and enhances the taste of low-sodium foods.'

In a statement, Kirin Holdings added that a successful clinical trial was done.

Kirin Holdings said: 'In clinical trials with people who follow a low-sodium diet, the use of the chopstick device enhanced the salty taste perceived when eating low-sodium foods by about 1.5 times more.'

Once approved for market consumption, the chopsticks could help people battling lifestyle diseases to enjoy flavorful food or prevent ailments related to excessive salt intake.