Sometimes I hear people say that food just doesn't taste the same as they get older. It's tempting to blame this on age, but there are other factors at play, too.
We’re born with around 9,000 taste buds nestled in our papillae – the tiny bumps on our tongue – and they regenerate every couple of weeks.
This cycle slows down throughout our lifetimes and from around the age of 50, we have fewer taste buds overall. The remaining ones can also become less sensitive.
Not everyone experiences this to the same extent, but for some people, this process can make food seem less flavourful as they grow older. Age isn’t the whole story, though.
Genetics, dental issues, medication, long-term health conditions, smoking, nasal problems and other factors can play a role.
Our sense of smell also contributes to how we perceive flavour. As we age, the number of olfactory receptor cells in our nasal lining decreases, which can dull taste over time.
Temporary loss of smell – such as when you have a cold – can have a similar effect, making food taste especially bland.
As our sense of taste diminishes, our preferences sometimes shift too. Because salty or sweeter foods are easier to detect, people might lean more towards these foods as they age.
But of course, you have to be wary of the consequences. Increased salt intake, for example, can affect your blood pressure, while eating sweeter foods can lead to weight gain.
So, is there anything we can do to stop our sense of taste from going dull? While we can’t stop the ageing process (yet), there are some things that might enhance your taste buds.
For example, staying well hydrated (to maintain saliva production), avoiding smoking (which damages taste buds directly), managing long-term conditions such as diabetes, and reviewing medications that cause dry mouth can all make a difference.
Sharper flavours can also help cut through if things lose taste. Citrus fruits, sorbets, mints or even Marmite often register more strongly to our taste buds.
Marinating food with vinegar, dressings, mustard, herbs or spices can also boost flavour, and is better for you than increasing salt and sugar intake.
So yes, for some people, ageing may gradually dull the taste buds, but with thoughtful habits – and a bit of adventurous cooking – most people can enjoy flavorful food well into later life.
This article is an answer to the question (asked by Kian Wilkinson, Lancaster) 'Can you stop your sense of taste dulling as you age?'
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