As I get older, food tastes become bland.

 

It is due to changes and dulling of the sense of taste. When the sense of taste diminishes, food intake decreases, which can lead to weight loss or nutritional deficiencies in old age.

 

The taste is detected by taste buds located on the papillae on the surface of the tongue. From there, signals are sent to the brain's gustatory center to perceive the taste. There are approximately 8,000 of these taste receptors in the oral cavity. As people age, the number of taste buds gradually decreases, reducing by about 50% compared to when they are young. Saliva production also decreases, leading to dry mouth, which makes it more difficult to taste food.

 

In particular, the sense of salty and sweet taste diminishes. People tend to eat more salty foods and prefer stronger seasonings. This leads to excessive intake of sodium and sugar, which can cause hypertension and diabetes.

 

To maintain your sense of taste at 99 years old and preserve the joy of eating for a long time, it is important to brush your teeth frequently and gently clean your tongue to prevent the buildup of plaque. Chewing food thoroughly to increase saliva production is also beneficial. Even as you age, the ability to perceive sour flavors tends to remain relatively well-preserved, so adding vinegar or lemon to your dishes can help maintain flavor without increasing salt or sugar intake.

Zinc has the function of creating taste and is effective in preventing a decline in the sense of taste. As you age, it is recommended to frequently consume zinc-rich foods such as oysters, beef, and eggs <refer to graphic>. When taken together with vitamin C, zinc absorption increases. If your sense of taste has changed after taking medication or if the smell or taste of your favorite foods is different from what you expected, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

 

=============

From a certain moment, whenever I eat at my parents' house

I tend to think it's saltier than before.

 

As I get older, my sense of taste changes.

It seems to taste bland.

 

Then, even if you say the food is a bit bland and add seasoning,

It's that it's saltier than regular food, right?