why can't the tongue taste properly when you have cold?

Answer 1

That is because, our sense of taste does not rely only on our taste buds but it is co-dependent on our sense of smell as well. The smell of the food will travel up to our nose as we eat and will contribute to the general experience of the taste. You can test this by covering your nose when you eat. Most likely you will not be able to taste anything at all (unless the taste is really intense). You will also be able to almost 'taste' the foods you like just by smelling it (and you will salivate in anticipation)! This is also why when people take something they don't like, they will 'instinctively' cover their nose. And of course, you will lose your appetite when you have flu because you can't taste or be able to smell your food.

Answer 2

Your tongue tastes fine but a lot of what you taste has to do with smell.
The smell receptors in the back of the nose pick up smell from what you eat and combine with what you taste for a complete flavor. When you are sick those receptors are covered in mucus because your nose is stuffed up.

Answer 3

...because your nose is stuffed up. A large part of tasting is actually smelling the food. So if you can't smell properly (because of the cold), you also won't be able to taste as well either.

Answer 4

About half of your sense of taste is actually your sense of smell. So when you're congested and can't smell properly, things taste different.

Answer 5

Because your sense of smell and sense of taste work together. Have you never thought....that tastes just like ,,,,smells?

Answer 6

because SMELL is an important part of how things taste...and when you have a cold, your nose usually isn't working right....

Answer 7

Because a cold messes up you olfactory senses