

These symptoms can reduce your sense of smell, which in turn can impact your perception of taste.Īlthough it may seem as if your taste buds have stopped working when you’re sick with a cold or the flu, the truth is that your sense of taste isn’t nearly as good without your sense of smell.

Upper respiratory infections, whether viral or bacterial, can cause symptoms like nasal congestion and a runny nose. Your perception of flavor, especially via your taste buds, can be impaired by a variety of factors, from infections to medications, and more. These taste cells work in conjunction with chemical and physical senses to produce what we know as “flavor.”Ĭhanges in our taste buds can greatly affect the way we perceive flavor. When our taste buds encounter food and other substances, the taste cells inside send messages to the brain that help us make sense of what we are tasting. Our taste buds are responsible for helping us enjoy the many flavors the world has to offer.
