Taste Changes

Cancer treatments and cancer itself can change the way some foods taste or smell. Taste changes can contribute to a loss of appetite (anorexia), weight loss and malnutrition.

Causes

Changes in the way foods taste or smell may occur because of cancer treatments:

• chemotherapy drugs can change the taste receptor cells in the mouth
• radiation therapy to the head, neck and mouth area may damage the salivary glands and taste buds in the tongue
• oral surgery for cancer, especially when part or all of the tongue is removed, because this is where many taste buds are located

Symptoms

Changes in taste can vary. Some of these include:

• craving sweet foods
• foods or beverages taste too sweet
• sweet foods taste sour
• foods or beverages taste too bitter
• foods taste metallic, especially meat
• food and beverages have no taste
• developing a sudden dislike for certain foods

Taste changes may continue over the course of chemotherapy treatments or radiation therapy. This effect is often temporary and taste and smell usually return to normal a few weeks or more after treatment is finished. Some people find that taste and smell do not return to normal, but this varies from person to person.

Management

There are a few ways that a person can cope with changes in taste:

• Rinse the mouth before and after eating to help clear taste buds. Club soda or a solution of 2 mL (1/2 teaspoon) of salt mixed with 250 mL (1 cup) of water may help.
• Try foods or beverages that are different than the ones you usually eat.
• Serve foods cold or at room temperature to reduce strong tastes and smells.
• Season foods with onion, garlic, chili powder, basil, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, barbecue sauce, mustard, ketchup or mint. Seasonings may make the foods taste better. Be cautious with spices and seasonings if you have a sore mouth or they bother your stomach.
• Suck on sugar-free lemon candies, mints or chew gum, which can help get rid of unpleasant tastes that remain after eating.

Metallic tastes

• Try using plastic cutlery and glass cooking pots if foods have a metallic taste.
• Tart flavours from lemons and other citrus fruit, vinegar and pickled foods may also be helpful to overcome a metallic taste, but should be avoided if you have a sore mouth.

Bitter tastes

• Try adding a little honey, artificial sweetener or sugar to decrease the salty, bitter or acid taste of foods.
• Add sweet fruits to meals.
• Marinate meat, poultry or fish in wine, pineapple or lemon juice, soy sauce or barbecue sauce.
• If red meat tastes bitter, try substituting with chicken, fish, ham, eggs or cheese. Use these foods in casseroles or stews.

Sweet tastes

• Try adding a little salt or lemon juice to decrease the sweetness of sugary foods.
• Sometimes herbal tea, if held in the mouth for a short time before eating, can help decrease sweet tastes.
• Limit sweet fruits or try vegetables.
• Try diluting fruit juices or other sweet drinks with water or ice.

Check with the healthcare team or a registered dietitian for other suggestions on how to deal with taste changes.