Although a lesser known fact, anxiety and stress can change in the sensation of taste (Al’Absi et al., 2012). This physical response can be in the form of a dry mouth, a metallic tense or reduced sensitivity to certain tastes (Al’Absi et al., 2012). There are multiple different taste sensitivities beyond sensations (such as salty, sweet, and sour), where specific receptors for tasting fats can indicate eating habits that are affected by stress (Al’Absi et al., 2012).

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According to Al’Absi et. al. (2012), stress lowered people’s ability to taste saltiness and sweetness; therefore, encouraging the possibility of eating more of those foods during periods of stress. There has also been research linking stress and obesity, as a result of increased intake of sugars and fats (Al’Absi et al., 2012). Furthermore, the relationship between taste has been discovered in soothing stress in infants, particularly in the level of sucrose and other contents of the child’s mother’s milk, and their suckling practices (Ramsay & Lewis, 2009).

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Stanbourough (2020) noted some possible causes for changes in taste, which include:

• Anxiety, which can cause an additional metallic taste response for some people, medically known as dysgeusia;

• A dry mouth caused by anxiety or stress (otherwise known as xerostomia);

• A neurotransmitter called norepinephrine is released in stressful situations and has been known to alter tastes in your mouth; and,

• Stress, which activates the endocannabinoid system that is to help calm you when you are anxious. This can make you want to eat and also change the way food tastes.