Taste and Smell

Zinc deficiency can impair taste and smell. Zinc gluconate supplementation can improve taste and smell sensitivity in individuals deficient in zinc or with conditions that impact zinc absorption.

Zinc is essential for the proper function of taste and smell receptors. Zinc deficiency can lead to a diminished ability to taste and smell, also known as hypogeusia and hyposmia, respectively. Supplementation with zinc gluconate can restore zinc levels in deficient individuals, improving the sensitivity of taste and smell receptors and reversing these conditions. This is thought to occur as zinc is a cofactor for enzymes that are important for the development and maintenance of taste buds and olfactory receptors.