Why Can’t I Taste Anything?

Healthylife Pharmacy27 January 2017|4 min read

Impaired taste can be due to an interruption of the transfer of taste sensations to the brain, or by a problem with how the brain translates these sensations. It is estimated that up to 75% of people over the age of 80 have impaired taste. To a certain extent, it is considered a normal part of ageing. The medical term for complete loss of taste is ageusia, and partial loss is referred to as dysgeusia. It is not unusual to experience a temporary partial loss of taste, such as when you have a cold, however it is very rare to lose the sense of taste completely.

When the sense of taste is reduced, it can take the pleasure out of eating food. It may lead to a decrease in appetite. Some people try to compensate the lack of taste by increasing sugar or salt in their food in an attempt to enhance the flavour. 

A bit about our taste buds

If you love your sweet foods - blame it on your taste buds!

Gustation, or the sense of taste, allows us to distinguish between what could be potentially harmful, and what we may enjoy eating. Taste is mediated by taste buds located primarily on the tongue which then transmit signals to our sensory nerves. We are essentially programmed to eat foods with a higher calorie content, which are typically salty, sweet and/or savory.

By contrast, detecting bitter in foods has allowed us to reject foods that may be harmful or toxic. The taste system also detects sour foods which can indicate acidic, fermented or foods which have spoilt. By detecting these basic tastes, it informs us of whether the food in our mouth is safe to enter the body. 

80% of our taste is related to smell – so if you have lost some or all of your ability to smell, this will affect how well you taste flavour in food. In some cases, your taste buds may be functioning just fine, but your sense of smell is the problem. This can be the case with health issues such as sinusitis, nasal polyps and allergic rhinitis. Your doctor might send you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist, called an otolaryngologist, to determine if you have a smell disorder.

What causes a decrease in taste?

A wide variety of reasons could account for loss of taste and range from the common cold to more serious disorders of the nervous system. Other common reasons include:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Salivary gland infection
  • Sinusitis/allergic rhinitis
  • Cold/flu
  • Throat infections, such as strep throat and pharyngitis
  • Poor dental hygiene, gum inflammation and periodontal disease
  • Infection of the mouth or tongue
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Smoking
  • Medication, including lithium, thyroid medications and cancer treatments
  • Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes dry eyes and mouth
  • Head or ear injuries
  • Nutritional deficiencies, especially vitamin B12 and zinc.
  • Nervous system disorders
  • Bell’s Palsy and multiple sclerosis

How to treat your loss of taste

Respiratory problems

It is important to ascertain what is causing your loss of taste to get results. If your symptoms are due to a cold/flu, be assured that the symptoms will only last a short time.

Nasal congestion

If there is a considerable amount of nasal congestion consider using decongestant herbs such as: 

  • Garlic
  • Horseradish
  • Eyebright
  • Elderberry

Infection

If there is an infection consider taking:

  • Echinacea
  • Andrographis
  • Golden seal

If there is an underlying allergy such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever), anti-allergy herbs and nutrients as well as lifestyle considerations should also be addressed. Other safe fast and effective ways to drain the sinuses include using inhalations with essential oils, saline nasal sprays and sinus rinses.
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Dental health

Regular dental care is important to reduce the risk of dental caries, inflammation and infection. Thorough brushing and flossing to remove plaque and protect teeth from decay and disease, along with regular dental check-ups is recommended. 

Antibacterial herbs can be diluted and used as mouth washes when needed. These include:

  • Echinacea
  • Thyme
  • Tea tree
  • Propolis ​

Could it be reflux?

People suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may experience a metallic or acidic taste in the mouth or/and a loss of taste.

Acid which refluxes from the stomach into the mouth can damage taste buds. 

Reducing the intake of acidic and spicy foods, reducing meal amounts and avoiding laying down after eating may reduce the symptoms of GORD. Slippery elm is a fibre which can be used to reduce acid reflux, inflammation and damage to the oesophagus and mouth.

Zinc deficiency

A common side effect of zinc deficiency is smell and taste disturbances. Zinc deficiency may also lead to impaired immune function, loss of appetite, delayed wound healing and mood disorders. It is worth supplementing if you suffer from chronic sinusitis and recurrent infections that lead to loss of taste as your immune system may be depleted of zinc.

  • Food sources of zinc include red meat, pulses, fish, chicken, oysters, nuts, seeds and oysters. To determine whether you are low in zinc speak to your Naturopath or GP who can assess you for zinc deficiency.

Vitamin B12

Deficiency signs of vitamin B12 in relation to loss of taste include irregularities of the mouth and tongue, including inflammation of the tongue (glossitis) and conditions affecting the health of nerves. Vitamin B12 is a common deficiency in the elderly and vegetarians but can affect people of all ages. To assess for vitamin B12 deficiency your doctor.

  • Vitamin B12 is found in fortified cereals, cheese, milk, beef, kidney, sardines, poultry, shellfish and eggs.

The information provided is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing any health concerns, please consult your doctor for advice.

References

  1. http://www.healthline.com/health/taste-impaired#Overview1
  2. Ermilov AN, et al. Maintenance of taste organs is strictly dependant on epithelial hedgehog/GLI signalling. PLoS Genet. 2016 Nov 28;12(11):e1006442 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27893742
  3. Bromley SM. Smell and taste disorders: a primary care approach. Am Fam Physician. 2000 Jan 15;61(2):427-36, 438 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10670508
  4. Nagraj SK, et al. Interventions for the management of taste disturbances. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Nov 26;(11):CD010470 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25425011
  5. Pisano M, Hilas O. Zinc and taste disturbances in older adults: A review of the literature. Consult Pharm. 2016 May;31(5):267-70 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27178656
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you have any concerns or questions about your health you should consult with a health professional.