If the taste disappears during chemotherapy
Learn how chemotherapy changed my sense of taste and became a challenge to eat.
Hello dears,
my last chemotherapy is now over four months ago. In my first cancer blog contribution, I already mentioned that I had to struggle with a changed sense of taste during chemotherapy. But how exactly did these taste problems look like?
Imagine you sit down at the table hungry, full of anticipation of your favourite dish. The scent rises into your nose, it looks so perfect – but then you take the first bite, and suddenly everything tastes… nothing. Or even worse: it suddenly tastes bitter, metallic or simply wrong.
So in about I was going with almost every meal. That was my reality during chemotherapy. Of course, the topic of “eating” then became a challenge. Sometimes even to a load. There were days when I had to force myself to eat. Sometimes the taste was so repulsive that I didn’t feel like continuing to eat – and that with food that I really loved in the past! That was indeed really exhausting, but I got the best out of the situation and ate it anyway – to strengthen me. It was not always easy, but it was possible.
But what foods didn't taste to me personally during chemotherapy?
It was especially difficult for me to enjoy strongly aromatic foods. Arugula, which is usually only slightly bitter, was completely inedible during my chemo. I could not eat vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and even peas. Even simple dishes such as frozen pizza or lasagna became unappetizing due to the changes in flavour. This would have been really helpful in a possible way and again, because cooking was just as very difficult for me.
Meat was also problematic. It tasted metallic, and even my beloved beef steak was no longer enjoyable. Sausage products tasted as if I were eating cleaning products. Similarly, it was with fish, which also took on a metallic taste, whereby salmon tasted much more intense than usual.
And what about sweets? Chocolate and even cough candies were suddenly too intense or had a strange taste. Therefore, I also avoided all sweetness.
Beverages were also affected, especially those with carbonic acid. Whether cola, lemonade or sparkling water – the carbonic acid burned in the mouth. Fortunately, there was also a small look at light: lemon water. It always tasted good and helped me to get through the time better.
But why does the taste change during chemotherapy?
The causes of a possible loss of taste during chemotherapy are manifold and complex. Here I show you a few reasons why the sense of taste and the sense of smell can change during chemotherapy:
1. The destruction of "fast growing" cells
Chemotherapeutic agencies target fast-growing cells as the cancer cells divide quickly. Unfortunately, this also affects the healthy cells in the body, such as the taste buds and the cells of the mouth mucosa. The taste buds usually regenerate every 10 to 14 days. However, if they are damaged by chemotherapy, this can lead to impaired sense of taste and precisely the taste disorders I had.
2. Changes in mouth mucosa and saliva
Chemotherapy can change the flow of saliva and the composition of saliva. Many of those affected have a dry mouth because less saliva is produced. The saliva plays a decisive role in the sensation of taste. It usually helps to transport taste molecules to the taste buds. A dry mouth or a modified saliva composition can also make the sense of taste blunt or change.
3. Metallic taste by released metals
Some chemotherapeutic agents, especially those containing heavy metals, can cause a metallic taste. These drugs contain platinum compounds that have been shown to influence the sense of taste and evoke this typical metallic taste. For example, I was given the active ingredient “carboplatin” and this chemotherapeutic agent actually contains the metal “platinum”.
4. Affecting the central nervous system
Some chemotherapeutic aities can also affect the central nervous system, which control the taste and smell. Chemotherapy can cause damage to the nerves (peripheral neuropathy) that are responsible for transmitting taste sensations to the brain. This can lead to the tastes being distorted or unpleasantly perceived. It may therefore be possible, as in my case, that tastes will be reversed? In fact, it was the case with me that a strawberry tasted more of kiwi and a kiwi against strawberry. Quite funny, right?
5. Psyche and general well-being
Other factors, such as nausea, vomiting, and general malaise, and also the psyche, can also play a role. If one is often sick, certain foods are associated with this nausea, which can lead to a dislike for certain foods. But the psychological condition can also take a line through the balance. Fortunately, I was very mentally very good, but those who need support should not hesitate to seek help.
And what foods still tasted during chemotherapy?
Luckily, there were also some foods that I would tolerate well and which also tasted relatively pleasant. There are, for example, the lovely potatoes, they are simple and neutral and have become my staple food. Even mild cream sauces, rice and pasta were more or less tasteless and helped me to avoid the worst taste disorders. BUT very important – I couldn’t season the food at all. Salt was pretty much the only thing that tasted good. Of course, everything tastes rather bland, but at least better than having a poisonous taste in your mouth.
A highlight included fruits such as watermelon and apples. Especially watermelon with some salt tasted incredibly good during this time. Also some dairy products such as yogurt and cottage cheese were pleasantly mild and cooling.
But the most important thing is not giving up: the sense of taste is returning!
The good news is – four months after my chemotherapy, everything tastes almost as it used to be. The food makes me happy again and I can enjoy every meal again. And I really have to admit that this time has taught me a lot. Today I value life even more and more intensively in all its facets – also in terms of the topic of “eating”.
And if you are in the midst of your chemotherapy and have similar problems, I want to encourage you: Don’t give up! The path may be rocky, but this phase will also pass. Your sense of taste will return, and with it the little pleasures of life, which we often take for granted.
