How tastes change with age

Have you noticed someone you love adding salt to their food more often? Or perhaps adding sugar to coffee they used to always take with only cream?

Dysgeusia, altered taste sensation, and hypogeusia, decreased taste sensation, are both common conditions in older adults. However, even though scientists and the National Institute of Health estimate that up to 15 percent of adults suffer from conditions related to decreased or altered taste or smell, many people are unaware that they are experiencing any symptoms.

The cause of dysgeusia and hypogeusia can be varied according to “The Impact of Aging and Medical Status on Dysgeusia,” an article published in The American Journal of Medicine in July 2016. Many medications may cause these conditions as a direct side effect or may cause decreased saliva production (a condition called xerostomia), which can cause them as well.

As our loved ones get older, the list of medications they take tends to get longer, which is one reason why older people are at a greater risk for having these conditions.

Alternatively, the normal anatomy of the nose and mouth can be the culprit. While the tongue has three nerves that run from parts of the tongue to the brain, acting like a safety net in case one is damaged, the nose has only one set of nerves that run directly to the brain.

Since the brain slows down and ages like the rest of the body, older people are more at risk for these conditions. People with dementia, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s are at even higher risk.

Due to decreased or altered taste, many older people may add extra salt or sugar to their food to help it taste better or choose foods higher in salt and sugar. While this may not seem like a problem initially, excess sodium can raise blood pressure and added sugar can contribute to weight gain or high blood sugar. If your loved one is already suffering from conditions such as hypertension or diabetes, this could be an especially big problem.

Additionally, added sugar can cause cavities, which have been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease.

On the other side of excess intake is inadequate intake or anorexia. People suffering from dysgeusia and hypogeusia may stop eating, claiming the food tastes “off.” This is seen especially in intake of proteins like red meat, fish, and seafood, which many people with hypogeusia and dysgeusia find unappetizing. While too much sugar and salt are a problem, anorexia can lead to malnutrition, wasting and numerous other health problems.

Clearly, it is important to recognize the symptoms of dysgeusia and hypogeusia in order to treat them and make dietary adjustments early on. Some tips and alternate strategies for reducing the risks linked to these diseases are:

— Educate your loved one and learn how to make adjustments to food together;

— Address the underlying issue: Is the problem due to medication? Can the medications they are on be adjusted to reduce these side effects?

— Encourage your loved one to improve flavor in foods by adding fresh herbs and spices instead of salt;

— Suggest the use of alternative sweeteners such as Stevia and Splenda instead of sugar to keep calories and blood sugar down and reduce the risk of cavities; and

— Encourage consumption of cold foods as they’re less likely to trigger odors that may be off-putting.

Slow changes over time and encouraging healthier strategies can help keep us and our loved ones healthy for many more years. As always, if there is any concern about you or your loved one suffering from these conditions, call your doctor to discuss treatment options. Managing these conditions can improve quality of life and reduce risk of other chronic illnesses. For more information, consult the National Institute of Health online about taste disorders at: goo.gl/Ybjkee.

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Editor’s note: Sarah Roger is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and incoming second-year medical student at Albany Medical College. She is interning with Community Caregivers this summer and will be writing articles on health and wellness, which are both topics she is passionate about.