Can’t Taste Salty Or Sour Foods? It Might Be A Red Flag For Your Health

As we age, our senses naturally change. However, if you’ve noticed that your sense of taste isn’t what it used to be, it has changed with time. A recent study suggests that losing the ability to taste certain flavours, especially salty and sour foods could be linked to a higher risk of early death in older adults.

Study Findings

The study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, analyzed data from 7,340 adults aged 40 and older. Researchers found that those who reported a decline in their sense of taste had a 47 per cent higher risk of dying within six years. The risks varied between men and women. Women who lost their ability to taste bitterness were more likely to die early, while men who lost their ability to taste sourness faced a similar increased risk.

Unlike previous studies that focused on the link between smell and mortality, this research showed that taste loss alone was associated with a higher risk of death—even when participants could still smell normally.

Why Is Loss of Taste a Concern?

Scientists believe that changes in taste perception might be an early warning sign of more serious health issues. Loss of taste could indicate neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or be linked to cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure and stroke.

Further, taste dysfunction can lead to unhealthy eating habits. For example, people who can’t taste salt properly may consume more of it, increasing their risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Poor nutrition resulting from taste loss can also contribute to other chronic health problems.

Should Doctors Start Testing for Taste Changes?

The study raises an important question: should doctors start screening patients for taste loss as a health indicator? Some experts believe this could be a useful tool for identifying individuals at higher risk for serious illnesses.

However, Dr David Henry Hiltzik, chair of the Department of Otolaryngology at Staten Island University Hospital, urges caution. He notes that while the findings are interesting, they don’t establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

“They’re linking one symptom to mortality, but there are many possible reasons for these results,” Hiltzik explains. “It’s not as if we can say, ‘If you lose your sense of taste, you will die early.’”

While the study explains potential connections, more research is needed to understand the exact relationship between taste loss and serious diseases.

What You Can Do

Even though more studies are needed, it is essential to pay attention to any changes in your taste. Experts recommend monitoring your ability to taste different flavours—salt, bitter, sweet, sour, and umami—as they could signal underlying health issues.

“You should report any noticeable changes in taste and smell to your doctor,” advises Dr Hiltzik. “These changes could be linked to neurological conditions, severe nasal congestion, or other health concerns.”

Other symptoms that may accompany taste loss and should be reported include:

- Persistent headaches

- Vision changes

- Memory problems

- Difficulty smelling

While losing your sense of taste might seem like a minor inconvenience, it could be an early warning sign of bigger health issues. Keeping track of any changes and discussing them with your doctor could help catch potential health problems early.

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