Change in Your Taste

Zinc is essential for your taste buds. In fact, zinc deficiency can cause hypogeusia, a malfunction in your sense of taste. Surprisingly, zinc in excess of the allowed amounts can induce taste changes, such as a foul or metallic taste on your tongue. This symptom is typically observed in trials looking at zinc lozenges (cough drops) or liquid supplements for treating the common cold. While some trials show positive outcomes, the dosages used are frequently much over the UL of 40 mg/day, and side effects are widespread.

Some people, for example, may take zinc dosages of up to 100 to 150 mg/day for months with few side effects. As a result, a zinc intake of 80 mg/day for 1-2 weeks beginning with the first symptoms of the common cold is unlikely to produce long-term harm. If you use zinc lozenges or liquid supplements, keep in mind that these symptoms may persist even after therapy.