Senior Food Health - Compensating for Loss of Taste in the Elderly

By Anna Hazard

As we age, many people discover that their preferences for certain types of foods will wax or wane. This is particularly true with the elderly who may begin to lose their enjoyment of meals with a diminished ability to distinguish flavors.
 
People are normally born with 10,000+ tastebuds, a number which begins to significantly decline after age 50. This, compounded with a diminishing sense of smell as we grow older and with the declining production of saliva leads to a blunting effect upon the sense of taste
 
While this can be a normal part of the aging process, it could also be a symptom of something else, so please double check with your doctor for any sudden or gradual changes in taste or smell. Certain prescription medicines such as antibiotics, blood pressure maintainers, and antidepressants could also have the side effect of dysgeusia -- a bitter or salty taste in the mouth.
 
Further complications arise when it comes to trying to compensate for the loss in flavor due to the tendency of increased chance of diabetes or dietary restrictions in the elderly, especially as the sense of sweetness or saltiness tend to be the first to go.Taking all into consideration, keep these following tips and tricks in mind.

• More flavorful spices such as citrus, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, or honey can be used to compensate for sugar

• Pureed fruit or broth (cooked at a low heat to help reduce its liquid content while amplifying its taste) can be substituted for fats, gravies, or creams
  

• Substitute fresh herbs & flavored or aged vinegar for salt (making sure not to oversalt  as that increases blood pressure) Some suggestions for herb combinations include basil or oregano for Italian and Greek foods, cilantro for Mexican and Asian, and turmeric for Indian cuisine
  

• Intensify the flavor of meat, poultry, or fish by pansearing, broiling, or grilling
  

• Vegetables can be enhanced by grilling or roasting along with the addition of caramelizing garlic or onions for sweetness
  

• Hot foods are best served hot as well as vice versa for the opposite cold foods. Increasing (for hot foods) or decreasing (for cold foods) their temperature a few careful degrees can help enhance their taste (Just be careful not to scald those tastebuds!)
  

• The sense of thirst can also decline with the sense of taste, so make certain your elderly loved ones keep hydrated with plenty of water which can flavored with fruit juice
  

• Even when foods don't taste as intense as they used to be, meals can be greatly enjoyed as social events in themselves