Decrease in or loss of taste

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Decrease in or loss of taste is common in older adults. It is part of the normal aging process and may be caused by:

A decrease in the number of taste buds.
Changes in the way the nervous system processes the sensation of taste. This may cause a decline in the awareness of taste.
A decrease in the amount of saliva or an increase in the stickiness of saliva.
Changes in the tongue, making it harder for flavors to reach the taste buds.

Other factors that may cause a decrease or loss of taste include:

Loss of smell. Much of what is thought of as taste is actually smell.
Minor infections, such as a cold or flu.
Smoking or using smokeless (spit) tobacco.
Side effects of medication, surgery, or radiation therapy.
Nutritional deficiencies of zinc or vitamin B12.
Diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Bell's palsy, hepatitis, Sjögren's syndrome, and oral cancer.

Credits

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Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Steven K. Patterson, BSc, DDS, MPH - Dentist
Last Updated	September 26, 2008

Last updated:	September 26, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Steven K. Patterson, BSc, DDS, MPH - Dentist
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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