Why might food taste bland if your nose were congested due to a cold or allergies?
A)Mucus coats the papillae and renders them ineffective.
B)Approximately 80% of our taste buds are located in the back of the throat and nasal cavities.
C)Approximately 80% of our information about flavour comes from olfaction.
D)The increased oxygen from primarily breathing through your mouth interacts with the papillae and reduces their functioning.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Approximately 80% of our information about flavour comes from olfaction, meaning a significant portion of what we perceive as taste actually comes from our sense of smell. When the nose is congested, this olfactory input is significantly reduced, making food taste bland.

Why Might Food Taste Bland If Your Nose Were Congested