Scientists discover why some people still can’t taste food after COVID-19
Researchers have identified a molecular defect in taste cells, specifically a reduction in the PLC 2 protein, that explains persistent taste loss in some COVID-19 patients. This study provides the first direct biological evidence linking long-term taste disturbances to structural and signaling changes in the tongue.
Why it matters
Identifying the biological cause of post-COVID taste loss is a necessary step toward developing treatments for those suffering from long-term sensory impairment.
Scientists have uncovered changes inside taste buds that may help explain why some people struggle to taste food more than a year after recovering from COVID-19. The findings point to disruptions in the molecular signals responsible for detecting certain flavors, along with physical abnormalities in the structure of taste buds.
The study, published in Chemical Senses , offers the first direct biological evidence connecting persistent taste problems reported by patients to measurable changes within their taste cells.
Why Does Taste Loss Linger After COVID-19?
To investigate the lasting effects of COVID-19 on taste, scientists from the University of Colorado Anschutz and two Swedish universities examined 28 people who had experienced taste disturbances for more than a year following infection. None of the participants had been hospitalized for COVID-19.
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