Taste Loss and Aging

Taste Loss and Aging

Taste Loss and Aging

The single most common cause of taste loss is normal aging and the true cause is actually related to declines in the sense of smell. (Without an ability to smell, food will become much more difficult to taste.) Smell loss affects roughly half of those between the ages of 65 and 80 and nearly three-quarters of those over 80 so it is something that nearly all of us will have to deal with as we age.

Some of this age related decline occurs because of structural changes in our bodies that actually pinch the olfactory (smelling) nerve. When this nerve gets pinched the messages that normally travel along it, can no longer transmit as well so the messages for the smells that we normally encounter simply do not make it to our brain where they are normally interpreted.

Another factor in the decline of smell is that the thickness of the nasal mucous increases as we age and this further blocks the uptake of the odor molecules into the smell detection system. Staying well hydrated will help decrease this thickening a bit so be sure to drink plenty of fluids.

One final factor is thought to underlie the age related decline of smell: decreased blood flow to the brain. When the brain gets less blood flow it cannot work as well. This is one reason that exercise is thought to help with smell and taste loss it increases blood flow to the brain which allows it to function properly.

Keep in mind that most taste loss is secondary to smell loss. True actual taste loss can begin as young as age 30, and increases as we age. Nearly all 50 year olds will find that food doesn't taste quite as strong as it once did. In more advanced age this trend only worsens. One study found that the elderly need 12 times the amount of salt to taste it, as their younger counterparts!

One reason that our actual taste declines is because of years of accumulated damage to the taste buds. Excess use of very hot, spicy foods will damage the taste buds and should be avoided in the younger years to preserve these delicate receptors.

Additionally, as we age our taste buds do not replace themselves as fast as they did in our younger years. If you burn your tongue and you're over 50, it will take a lot longer to feel better than it did when you were 25.

And of course, just as for smell loss, decreased blood flow to the brain will affect how well your brain can interpret the signals that it receives for taste sensations. Another reason to keep or start an exercise program!

Unfortunately, smell and taste loss from aging is progressive it only worsens with time. There is no magic pill to treat smell and taste loss, but there are many strategies that can be used to greatly increase your taste experience!

I cover them all in my eBook, "The Tired Taste Bud Overcoming Smell and Taste Loss."

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