As a gerontologist with a focus on the sensory changes that occur with aging, I can provide some insights into how taste perception may change as people get older.

With advancing age, it's not uncommon for individuals to experience a decline in their sense of taste. This can be attributed to several factors:


1. Taste Buds: The number of taste buds tends to decrease with age, which can lead to a reduced ability to detect flavors.

2. Circulation: Poor circulation can affect the delivery of taste to the brain, which may result in a diminished sense of taste.

3. Medications: Certain medications can have side effects that include a reduced sense of taste.

4. Disease: Diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and multiple sclerosis can also impact taste perception.

5. Nutritional Deficiencies: A lack of certain nutrients, particularly zinc, can lead to a diminished sense of taste.

However, it's important to note that not all older adults will experience a significant loss of taste, and the degree of change can vary widely from person to person.

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Your sense of smell and taste change as you age. Between the ages of 40 and 50, the number of taste buds decreases, and the rest begin to shrink, losing mass vital to their operation. After age 60, you may begin to lose the ability to distinguish the taste of sweet, salty, sour, and bitter foods.read more >>