Pregnancy and Altered Taste
Q: I'm 2 months pregnant. Why do many of my favorite
foods taste funny?
Dr.Moore: Pregnancy causes changes in almost
every system in the body. Increased water retention dilutes the blood
volume and causes edema of the cells. This, plus increased levels of
estrogens and progesterones are thought to play a role in these changes,
even in structures like the tastebuds–the small but complex sensory
organs of taste. The medical term: "dysguesia" meaning an
altered sense of taste, accounts for this difference in perception.
Everyone will have their own preferences, but a heightened sense of
bitter-taste early in pregnancy is often seen. Diet-soda, artificial
sweeteners, even water can leave an aftertaste. Much of our food is
processed with ingredients that beforehand would have gone unnoticed.
Dysguesia is not to be confused with cravings that occur in pregnancy,
commonly to foods like ice-cream, pickles or chocolate, or aversions
which are new repulsions to previously liked foods. Sometimes a pregnant
woman may sense a funny taste in their mouth even when not eating. Again
different presentations with a related root cause–elevated hormone
levels and/or increased body edema and water retention. Some researchers
feel a concomitant increase in the sense of smell may play a role. Others
state that there is an evolutionary protection built into these changes:
that is, they help a pregnant mother balance and replace needed nutrients
in the body, such as sodium and calcium.
Suggestions for dealing with these changes include: alter your diet
to accommodate these new likes and dislikes, start you meal with dry
crackers to attenuate strong tastes, and chew a flavored gum, sugarless
mint or ice chips. Spicy foods can sometimes help because of the numbing
effect they can have.
Notwithstanding the above, the mother-to-be must navigate the dietary
waters with care.
A balanced diet and maintenance of suggested weight guidelines are critical
to a successful pregnancy and safe delivery.
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Readers may send questions to this
email address. This column is for informational purposes
only and is not a substitute for professional or medical advice.
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