Question: My favourite frute is Cherries but I don't know what my favourite vegtible is. Does your scense of taste become better or worse as you grow old and why?

James Hargreaves answered on 23 Jun 2011:

hi morgana97,
I’m glad your like Cherry! Its one of my favourites too! Although i do love strawberries and ice cream when its nice and sunny! 🙂 What vegetables do you eat often? Carrots are my favourite!

The sense of taste is related very close to the sense of smell, and you need both of these to be able to taste food. With no sense of smell, you wouldnt be able to taste anything, you’d just be able to tell if the food was sweet, salty, bitter or sour for instance.

like anything else with the human body, your ability to smell and taste will become worse as you get older. 🙁

You have approximately 9,000 taste buds. Your taste buds are primarily responsible for sensing sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes.

The number of taste buds decreases beginning at about age 40 to 50 in women and at 50 to 60 in men. Each remaining taste bud also begins to atrophy (lose mass). The sensitivity to the four taste sensations does not seem to decrease until after age 60, if at all. If taste sensation is lost, usually salty and sweet tastes are lost first, with bitter and sour tastes lasting slightly longer.

Additionally, your mouth produces less saliva as you age. This causes dry mouth, which can make swallowing more difficult. It also makes digestion slightly less efficient and can increase dental problems.

The sense of smell may diminish, especially after age 70. This may be related to loss of nerve endings in the nose. Decreased taste and smell can lessen your interest and enjoyment in eating.

I hope i dont loose my sense of taste and smell when i get old, or i might not have a job any more!!!!!

Let me know if there is anything else you want to know 🙂