Many people complain of a gradual weakening of the sense of taste as they age, often without realizing it at first. According to a 2016 study, about three-quarters of older adults suffer from taste problems, making it the most age-affected sense.

Dr. Paul Joseph, co-director of the National Center for Smell and Taste at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, explains that taste loss occurs slowly, to the extent that most people do not notice it until much later. Often, they think the problem is with taste, but it is actually related to smell, which is a fundamental part of flavor perception.

Regardless of the cause, loss of taste or smell directly impacts overall health. Some people lose their appetite and become more fragile, while others consume larger amounts of salty, fatty, or sugary foods to compensate for the lack of flavor, increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Loss of these two senses is also linked to depression, as they are connected to the brain’s emotion and reward centers, and food represents part of cultural and family identity. Dr. Joseph adds, “Smell and taste are not secondary senses. They are linked to survival, nutrition, safety, and mental health.”

Possible Causes of Loss of Smell and Taste

Doctors identify five main causes: trauma, viruses, chronic infections, oral health, and aging.

Accidents, brain injuries, or surgeries on the head, nose, or ear can damage the nerves responsible for smell and taste, according to Dr. Janet Pinto, a head and neck surgeon at the University of Chicago.

Viruses can also cause temporary or permanent damage. For example, the COVID-19 virus attacks support cells in the nose and disrupts the nerves responsible for smell, sometimes preventing their regeneration.

Chronic rhinitis lasting more than 12 weeks can block odor passage and damage the nasal lining, especially in cases of sinusitis, polyps, or allergies. Pinto emphasizes the importance of early treatment to avoid permanent damage.

Oral health directly affects taste. Gum disease, infections, dry mouth, or bacterial and food residue buildup on the tongue all reduce the ability to taste flavors, according to Dr. Sukirth Ganesan from the University of Iowa. Therefore, maintaining oral hygiene, drinking enough water, and regularly cleaning the tongue are advised. However, some factors remain unresolved, such as dentures that limit the sensation of food texture and its effect on taste.

Aging is the most prominent factor. After age 60, the number of taste buds and smell receptors gradually decreases, and their natural regeneration declines, according to Dr. Jai Bhat, a geriatric specialist in Illinois.

Diseases such as diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and some medications like antibiotics, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, and chemotherapy also contribute to the problem.

Older adults often take multiple medications simultaneously, increasing risks. Bhat advises not to stop any medication without consulting a doctor, as doses can be adjusted, replaced, or side effects managed.

In temporary cases like nasal congestion, the senses can be restored after treatment. But in most chronic cases, doctors have no effective treatment to fully restore taste or smell, according to researcher Linda Bartoshuk from George Washington University.

Some patients turn to zinc supplements or acupuncture sessions, but studies do not prove their effectiveness. Vitamin B12 or iron supplements may help only if there is an actual deficiency.

One recommended treatment is “smell training,” a type of physical therapy for the nose based on inhaling specific scents twice daily for 6 to 9 months. Some patients show improvement, especially if younger or if smell loss followed a recent viral infection, although study results vary.