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Updated: May 15, 2026
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Psychophysical Tracking Method to Assess Taste Detection Thresholds in Children, Adolescents, and Adults: The Taste Detection Threshold (TDT) Test
Published on: April 21, 2021
Zinc deficiency and taste perception in the elderly
Michel Aliani1, Chibuike C Udenigwe, Abraham T Girgih
1Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Human Ecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Michel.Aliani@ad.umanitoba.ca
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
|January 11, 2013
Summary
Taste impairment, common in the elderly due to aging and disease, affects food choices and nutrition. Zinc
Area of Science:
- Sensory science
- Gerontology
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Taste is a crucial human sense influencing food preference and consumption.
- Taste distortions are linked to physiological factors like aging and diseases.
- Reduced appetite in the elderly can lead to poor nutrition and health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the connection between zinc and taste dysfunction in the elderly.
- To investigate age-related changes in taste perception.
- To understand the impact of taste impairment on nutritional status.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on taste perception and aging.
- Analysis of studies investigating zinc's role in taste.
- Examination of the relationship between disease, taste, and appetite in older adults.
Main Results:
- Aging and disease are associated with taste degeneration.
- Zinc deficiency may contribute to taste impairment in the elderly.
- Taste changes in older adults can negatively affect dietary intake.
Conclusions:
- Taste perception significantly alters with age, requiring further mechanistic studies.
- Zinc supplementation may be a potential intervention for taste disorders in the elderly.
- Addressing taste impairment is vital for maintaining elderly nutrition and health.
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