American researchers recently published a study in Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, showing a connection between depression and altered taste and smell.
The researchers examined smell, taste, and depression data over 5,000 adults 40 years of age or older.
Among participants, the sense of smell was altered for about 23% of them and the sense of taste for about 12%. Those numbers jump to about 40% and 24% , respectively, for those who met the criteria for major depressive disorder.
In addition, the researchers discovered that participants who reported altered sense of smell and taste were more likely to have depression.
If your sense of taste or smell has changed recently, talk to your mental health professional about being tested for depression.