Food Suddenly Tastes Different? Here’s What Your Body’s Trying to Tell You

Maybe you woke up this morning and poured yourself your morning cup of coffee, and the brew kind of tasted like dirt. Or maybe your peanut butter toast was extraordinarily bland.

“Change in sense of taste can be due to a multitude of causes,” says Rachel Kaye, MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, New Jersey. “One of the most common has to do with a change in the sense of smell, as this is closely related to taste,” she says.

It’s possible there’s an underlying issue with the nerves that control the sense of taste or the brain’s interpretation of taste, Dr. Kaye says. These can reduce your sense of taste (hypogeusia), take it away completely (ageusia), or cause foods and drinks to taste different (dysgeusia).

Here are eight possible explanations for a sudden change in taste. While these may help you understand the cause, it’s important to check in with your doctor to address and treat any health problems.

1. You Ate or Drank Something Too Hot

“Thankfully, this is normally a temporary problem,” Kaye says.

2. You Have a Cold or Allergies

“When we get sick, the sense of smell goes, and that’s related to the sense of taste,” says Anthony Del Signore, MD, director of rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery at Mount Sinai Union Square in New York City.

Once the virus leaves your system or you receive antibiotic or allergy treatment, this congestion can subside, and you’ll enjoy the taste of food again.

3. You Have a Nasal Polyp

Sometimes, a cold or allergies can lead to sinusitis, an infection or inflammation of the nose and sinus cavities. It can lead to nasal polyps, which are growths in the nasal cavities.

4. You’re Taking a New Medication

• Methimazole, for hyperthyroidism
• Captopril, used to treat high blood pressure
• Griseofulvin, an antifungal medication
• Lithium, used for bipolar disorder
• Some chemotherapy drugs

If you’re starting a new medication and notice a sudden change in taste, ask your doctor whether it’s a known side effect and how you can manage it.

5. You Have a Nutrient Deficiency

Always check with your doctor before starting a new supplement to make sure it’s safe for you and that you’re taking the correct dosage.

6. You Have an Autoimmune Disorder

If your doctor suspects Sjögren's, they will refer you to a rheumatologist for an evaluation.

7. You Have a Neurological Condition

“Any neurologic condition that affects the cranial nerves can affect taste,” Kaye says.

8. You Have COVID-19

Today, a doctor’s ears may perk up as soon as you tell them you suddenly lost your sense of smell or taste. That’s because this can be one of the first symptoms of COVID-19.

The coronavirus seems to take a special liking to olfactory nerves of the nose, Del Signore says. And there have been cases of taste issues without a change in smell in people who have COVID-19, says Kaye.

“Patients lose their sense of smell for three to seven days, but we do have a fair amount who lose it longer. When it does return, some notice distortions in their sense of smell and taste that persist,” Del Signore says.

The Takeaway

• A sudden change in how food tastes could be a sign of conditions related to smell, such as a cold, allergies, or COVID-19.
• Autoimmune disorders or neurological conditions can also affect taste and might require specialized evaluation and management.
• Always consult your doctor before starting new supplements or treatments to address taste changes, especially if medications or nutrient deficiencies are suspected.
• If you experience a persistent change in taste, see a healthcare professional to explore possible underlying causes and start treatment, if necessary.