Dieters will be able to have their cake and eat it after scientists developed a device which makes low-sugar food taste sweeter.

The invention – dubbed Taste Buddy – emits a  low-level electrical current to stimulate taste buds so the mouth perceives sweet or salty flavours, even when they are not really present.

It is being developed by scientists at the University of London, led by Prof Adrian Cheok, who unveiled the gadget at the The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair, in Birmingham this week.

The device could eventually be engineered to fit within everyday utensils such as cutlery, cups and cans and the team has already begun working on a prototype spoon.

Many children hate the taste of vegetables. I wanted to make a device that could allow children to eat vegetables that taste like chocolate.Dr Adrian Cheok

Prof Cheok said with further development it could be used to allow people to taste something they enjoy while eating a healthy dish, for example making tofu taste like steak or vegetables like chocolate.

 "What started out as a fun engineering experiment has now led to something much more exciting with the potential to have a positive social impact," said Dr Cheok, professor of pervasive computing. 

 "The Taste Buddy could eventually help save lives, by allowing people to switch to healthier food choices.

"Many children hate the taste of vegetables. So I knew that when I became an engineer, I wanted to make a device that could allow children to eat vegetables that taste like chocolate."