Losing your sense of taste can be a frustrating and distressing experience. It can make it difficult to enjoy food, and it can also be a sign of a more serious health condition. If you've lost your sense of taste after having COVID-19, there are a few things you can do to try to get it back.
First, it's important to rule out any other potential causes of your loss of taste. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms, and make sure that you don't have any other underlying health conditions that could be causing the problem. Once your doctor has ruled out any other causes, you can start trying some of the following remedies to help get your taste back.
Keep in mind that everyone is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. It's important to be patient and try a variety of different remedies to see what works best for you. With a little time and effort, you should be able to get your sense of taste back.
How to Get Taste Back After COVID
Here are 8 important points to help you get your taste back after COVID:
- Stay hydrated
- Eat a healthy diet
- Use zinc supplements
- Try smell training
- Rinse with salt water
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
- Get regular exercise
- Be patient
If you're concerned about your loss of taste, talk to your doctor. They can help you rule out any other potential causes and recommend the best course of treatment.
Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is important for overall health, but it can also help to improve your sense of taste. When you're dehydrated, your body doesn't produce as much saliva, which can make it difficult to taste food. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to keep your mouth and throat moist, which can help to improve your sense of taste.
- Drink plenty of water. Aim for eight glasses of water per day. You can also drink other fluids, such as juice, tea, and soup.
- Avoid sugary drinks. Sugary drinks can dehydrate you and make your loss of taste worse.
- Eat fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are a good source of water and other nutrients that can help to improve your sense of taste.
- Use a humidifier. A humidifier can help to add moisture to the air, which can help to keep your mouth and throat moist.
If you're struggling to stay hydrated, talk to your doctor. They can recommend ways to make sure you're getting enough fluids.
Eat a healthy diet
Eating a healthy diet is important for overall health, but it can also help to improve your sense of taste. Some foods and nutrients are known to be especially helpful for restoring taste after COVID-19:
Zinc: Zinc is a mineral that is essential for taste. Oysters, beef, and beans are all good sources of zinc.
Vitamin A: Vitamin A is important for vision and taste. Sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach are all good sources of vitamin A.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help to protect cells from damage. Citrus fruits, strawberries, and broccoli are all good sources of vitamin C.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel. They have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to improve taste.
Spicy foods: Spicy foods can help to stimulate the taste buds and improve your sense of taste. However, it's important to avoid spicy foods if they irritate your throat or mouth.
In addition to eating a healthy diet, it's also important to avoid foods that can make your loss of taste worse. These include sugary foods, processed foods, and alcohol.
Use zinc supplements
Zinc is a mineral that is essential for taste. It helps to stimulate the taste buds and send signals to the brain. When you have a zinc deficiency, it can lead to a loss of taste. Taking zinc supplements can help to improve your sense of taste, especially if you have a zinc deficiency.
- Choose a high-quality zinc supplement. Look for a zinc supplement that is chelated, which means it is bound to another molecule to make it more easily absorbed by the body.
- Take the recommended dosage. The recommended daily dosage of zinc for adults is 8-11 mg. However, you may need to take a higher dosage if you have a zinc deficiency.
- Take zinc supplements with food. Taking zinc supplements with food can help to improve absorption.
- Do not take zinc supplements for more than six weeks at a time. Taking zinc supplements for too long can lead to side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you're considering taking zinc supplements, talk to your doctor first. They can help you determine if you have a zinc deficiency and recommend the best dosage for you.
Try smell training
Smell training is a technique that can help to improve your sense of smell and taste. It involves repeatedly smelling different scents and identifying them. When you smell a scent, the olfactory bulb in your nose sends signals to the brain. These signals are then interpreted as smells. By repeatedly smelling different scents, you can help to retrain your brain to recognize and identify smells.
- Choose four scents that are easily distinguishable. Some common scents used for smell training include rose, lemon, eucalyptus, and clove.
- Smell each scent for 10-15 seconds. Take a deep breath and focus on the smell of the scent. Try to identify the scent and remember what it smells like.
- Repeat this process for each scent, several times a day. You can do smell training for a few minutes each day, or for longer periods of time if you have the time.
- Be patient. It may take several weeks or months of smell training before you notice an improvement in your sense of smell and taste.
Smell training is a safe and effective way to improve your sense of smell and taste. It is a good option for people who have lost their sense of smell or taste due to COVID-19 or other conditions.
Rinse with salt water
Rinsing your mouth with salt water can help to improve your sense of taste by removing bacteria and other irritants from the mouth and throat. It can also help to reduce inflammation and swelling in the mouth and throat, which can also contribute to a loss of taste.
To rinse your mouth with salt water, mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Swish the salt water around in your mouth for 30 seconds, then spit it out. You can rinse your mouth with salt water several times a day, or as needed.
It's important to note that rinsing your mouth with salt water is not a cure for a loss of taste. However, it can help to improve your sense of taste and make it easier to enjoy food.
If you have a loss of taste, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine the cause of your loss of taste and recommend the best course of treatment.
Additional tips for rinsing with salt water:
- Use warm water. Warm water is more effective at dissolving the salt and soothing the throat.
- Swish the salt water around in your mouth for at least 30 seconds. This will give the salt water time to work its magic.
- Spit out the salt water after 30 seconds. Do not swallow the salt water.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water several times a day, or as needed.
Avoid smoking and alcohol
Smoking and alcohol can both irritate the mouth and throat, which can lead to a loss of taste. Smoking can also damage the taste buds, making it more difficult to taste food.
If you're trying to get your taste back after COVID-19, it's important to avoid smoking and alcohol. This will help to reduce irritation and inflammation in the mouth and throat, and it will give your taste buds a chance to heal.
Here are some additional reasons to avoid smoking and alcohol:
- Smoking and alcohol can suppress the immune system. This can make it more difficult for your body to fight off infections, including COVID-19.
- Smoking and alcohol can increase inflammation. Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection, but too much inflammation can be harmful. Inflammation can damage cells and tissues, including the taste buds.
- Smoking and alcohol can dehydrate you. Dehydration can lead to a dry mouth, which can make it more difficult to taste food.
If you're struggling to quit smoking or drinking alcohol, talk to your doctor. They can help you develop a plan to quit that is right for you.
Get regular exercise
Getting regular exercise can help to improve your overall health and well-being, and it may also help to improve your sense of taste. Exercise can help to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and boost the immune system. All of these things can contribute to a better sense of taste.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Moderate-intensity exercise is an activity that gets your heart rate up and makes you sweat, but you can still talk without getting out of breath. Some examples of moderate-intensity exercise include walking, swimming, biking, and dancing.
If you're new to exercise, start slowly and gradually increase the amount of time and intensity of your workouts. It's also important to choose activities that you enjoy, so that you're more likely to stick with them.
Here are some additional benefits of getting regular exercise:
- Exercise can help to reduce stress. Stress can contribute to a loss of taste. Exercise can help to relieve stress and improve mood.
- Exercise can help to improve sleep. Sleep is important for overall health and well-being. Exercise can help to improve the quality of your sleep.
- Exercise can help to boost the immune system. Exercise can help to protect your body from infection, including COVID-19.
If you're struggling to get regular exercise, talk to your doctor. They can help you develop an exercise plan that is right for you.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to get your taste back after COVID:
Question 1: How long does it take to get my taste back after COVID?
Answer 1: The time it takes to get your taste back after COVID varies from person to person. Some people may start to notice an improvement in their taste within a few days, while others may take several weeks or even months.
Question 2: What are some things I can do to help get my taste back?
Answer 2: There are a number of things you can do to help get your taste back after COVID, including staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, taking zinc supplements, trying smell training, rinsing with salt water, avoiding smoking and alcohol, getting regular exercise, and being patient.
Question 3: What foods should I eat to help get my taste back?
Answer 3: Some foods that may help to improve your sense of taste include zinc-rich foods (such as oysters, beef, and beans), foods high in vitamin A (such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach), foods high in vitamin C (such as citrus fruits, strawberries, and broccoli), foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel), and spicy foods.
Question 4: What supplements can I take to help get my taste back?
Answer 4: Some supplements that may help to improve your sense of taste include zinc supplements, vitamin A supplements, vitamin C supplements, and omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
Question 5: What is smell training and how can it help me get my taste back?
Answer 5: Smell training is a technique that involves repeatedly smelling different scents and identifying them. It can help to retrain your brain to recognize and identify smells, which may also help to improve your sense of taste.
Question 6: How long should I do smell training for?
Answer 6: You can do smell training for a few minutes each day, or for longer periods of time if you have the time. It may take several weeks or months of smell training before you notice an improvement in your sense of smell and taste.
Question 7: When should I see a doctor about my loss of taste?
Answer 7: You should see a doctor if you have a loss of taste that lasts for more than a few weeks, or if you have other symptoms, such as a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
Question 8: What are some tips for preventing a loss of taste from COVID?
Answer 8: Some tips for preventing a loss of taste from COVID include getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a mask in public places, social distancing, and washing your hands frequently.
Question 9: What is the long-term prognosis for a loss of taste from COVID?
Answer 9: The long-term prognosis for a loss of taste from COVID is generally good. Most people who lose their sense of taste after COVID will eventually get it back, although it may take several months or even years.
Question 10: Is there anything else I can do to improve my sense of taste?
Answer 10: In addition to the tips above, you may also want to try using a humidifier, avoiding sugary foods and drinks, and getting enough sleep. You may also want to consider talking to a doctor or dietitian about other ways to improve your sense of taste.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ
If you have any other questions about how to get your taste back after COVID, talk to your doctor.
In addition to the information in this FAQ, there are a number of other things you can do to help get your taste back after COVID. These include:
Tips
Here are a few additional tips for getting your taste back after COVID:
Tip 1: Use a humidifier.
A humidifier can help to add moisture to the air, which can help to keep your mouth and throat moist. This can help to improve your sense of taste.
Tip 2: Avoid sugary foods and drinks.
Sugary foods and drinks can dehydrate you and make your loss of taste worse. Instead, drink plenty of water and eat healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Tip 3: Get enough sleep.
When you're sleep-deprived, your body is less able to fight off infection and repair itself. This can make it more difficult to get your taste back. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
Tip 4: Talk to your doctor.
If you're concerned about your loss of taste, talk to your doctor. They can help you rule out any other potential causes and recommend the best course of treatment.
Tip 5: Be patient.
It may take some time to get your taste back after COVID. Be patient and continue to follow the tips above. Eventually, your sense of taste should return.
Closing Paragraph for Tips
Remember, everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another. It's important to be patient and try a variety of different remedies to see what works best for you.
With a little time and effort, you should be able to get your taste back after COVID.
Conclusion
Losing your sense of taste can be a frustrating and distressing experience, but there are a number of things you can do to help get it back after COVID. By following the tips above, you can improve your chances of regaining your sense of taste and enjoying food again.
Here is a summary of the main points:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, juice, and soup.
- Eat a healthy diet that includes zinc-rich foods, foods high in vitamin A, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Take zinc supplements, if recommended by your doctor.
- Try smell training by repeatedly smelling different scents and identifying them.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water several times a day.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol.
- Get regular exercise.
- Be patient and continue to follow the tips above until your sense of taste returns.
Closing Message
Remember, everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another. It's important to be patient and try a variety of different remedies to see what works best for you. With a little time and effort, you should be able to get your taste back after COVID and enjoy food again.