taste perception preservation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: narrative review

Taste perception alterations are prevalent among copd patients, affecting up to 79% of them and influencing their food preferences, potentially impacting dietary quality. studies indicate that copd patients often experience reduced appetite and limited dietary diversity due to these taste changes. pulmonary rehabilitation has emerged as a potential solution, as it has shown promising results in enhancing taste sensitivity for salty, sweet, and bitter tastes. the use of high-flow nasal cannula (hfnc) treatment and long-term oxygen therapy in copd patients may also play a role in influencing taste and smell perception, with hfnc possibly leading to improvements. however, the impact of smoking on taste perception remains variable. altered taste perception may lead to reduced appetite, resulting in inadequate nutrient intake and aversions to specific food groups, further compromising dietary quality. while zinc supplementation has been effective in addressing taste and smell dysfunctions, there is a lack of specific evidence regarding its use for copd patients with taste and smell impairments. although pulmonary rehabilitation shows promise in improving taste sensitivity, more research is required to explore additional interventions for copd patients’ taste perception alterations. addressing these taste changes and their effects on dietary intake is crucial to enhance the nutritional status and overall health of copd patients, particularly among older individuals with the condition.