Let's get nosey - part 3

By: Gabbi Di Marino, fellow allergy sufferer and content manager

By: Gabbi Di Marino - fellow allergy sufferer and content manager

Think back to the last delicious meal you had (for me, it was a perfectly cooked cheese omelette with a side of avocado). Let yourself really sink into the memory of the flavors, the way the food made your taste buds come alive, and then ask yourself, what part of my body do I have to thank for this scrumptious experience? I’ve got news for you - it’s not as obvious as you think. In fact, the real, often unsung hero behind the things you taste is your nose! And while this may seem totally random and even a bit strange, this piece will break down the science behind why your nose is the one you should be thanking every time you enjoy your favorite snack!

Taste and smell - the BFFs of the body

Although they’re technically separate senses, smell and taste have a very close connection (think of them as BFFs who work harmoniously together). The perception of taste happens inside the mouth all thanks to our good ol’ pals: taste buds. Taste buds, the tiny sensory organs that live on your tongue, will pick up on the chemicals within the food you’re munching on, sending signals to the brain to let you know that you’re tasting something (hopefully, something delicious). But, without your nose’s smelling power, your taste buds can only do so much, leaving you only with basic tasting abilities like differentiating between salty, sweet, and sour. (If you’ve ever had a stuffy nose and tried to wash away your discomfort with a hot bowl of soup, only for it to taste like absolutely nothing, your nose is the one to blame!) With a happy, unstuffed nose, the scent of the food will travel up into your body as you chew, sending signals to the brain along with your taste buds. The delicious combo of info from your tastebuds and nose creates the complex flavor profiles of the food that we’ve come to know and love, things like sumptuous butternut squash ravioli and spiced carrot cake (yum!).

What happens to food’s flavor when your nose loses its smelling power?

While losing our sense of smell for short periods of time is inevitable for most of us (especially with nose-clogging seasonal allergies), not every nose is lucky enough to get back to its powerful self. Either due to injuries of our nifty smell receptors or conditions that inhibit scents from traveling far enough up into the nose to reach the receptors, some people experience a loss of smell that impacts their ability to detect flavor, limiting taste to only ones that can be distinguished between salty, sweet, and sour. 

A perfect example of a scent-hindering condition would be COVID-19. Many patients reported losing their sense of smell and taste, and while a quarter of those who were infected with COVID-19 reported these senses returning within two weeks, many were not so lucky. A recent study conducted on 800 healthcare workers who contracted COVID-19 set out to document sent loss. In total, 581 reported losing their sense of smell and 51% of those that lost their smelling power also reported that it had not returned 5 months later! 

Without the seamless teamwork of taste and smell, eating just wouldn’t be the same. Food can start to seem bland and unenjoyable - even your most favorite meals! So, if you weren’t doing so already, make sure you’re appreciating your nose the next time you’re getting your munchies on. 

What’s one of your favorite flavors you just couldn’t go without? Comment below!

And make sure to check out part 1 and part 2 of the Let’s get nosey series!