ZINC AND TASTE PERCEPTION

Dr Mabel Blades – Freelance Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

Twitter @blades_mabel

Zinc and Taste Perception

It has become well recognised that symptoms of Covid 19 include a loss of the sense of taste and smell. These two senses work together and have long been known to be affected by colds and respiratory infections.

These senses often return after recovery but with some sufferers of Covid 19 the loss of taste or smell, and sometimes both, persists for several months. 

 Loss of the sensations of taste and smell can really affect the enjoyment of food and drink and hence intake.

One of the items that has been associated with a loss of taste is an inadequate zinc intake. From experience, this does help some individuals to recover their sense of taste and smell plus is being used by researchers assisting people who have lost these senses.

Zinc is present in many foods particularly in red meat.This provides about a third of the zinc in the diet. 

Zinc is also found in milk, cheese, eggs, shellfish, nuts and peas, beans and lentils. 

Zinc also helps with producing new cells, and is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat and protein as well as being involved in wound healing and functioning of the immune system.

It is well recognised that males need more zinc than females as it is required for male fertility. 9.5mg a day for men (aged 19 to 64 years) and 7mg a day for women.

If you do not think you are having enough zinc and a supplement would be helpful, make sure you take this some time apart from supplements such as iron to be effective. 

Also do not take more than 25mg of zinc supplements a day unless advised to by a doctor.

PLEASE NOTE For specific advice on diet please consult your dietitian, doctor, or health professional