Dementia’s impact on the mind is well-known, with memory loss and confusion being commonly understood symptoms. However, it can also lead to less obvious side effects that aren’t typically associated with the brain.
One subtle early indicator of dementia that often goes unnoticed is a shift in taste preferences. The Alzheimer’s Society has highlighted that individuals with dementia might start to experience changes in their taste buds due to the condition.
This could mean developing a liking for foods they previously couldn’t stand or suddenly finding their once-favourite dishes off-putting. While it’s tempting to attribute these changes to the food itself or overlook them as insignificant, the altered taste can be a way to spot the condition early, reports Surrey Live.
The Alzheimer’s Society explained: “Sometimes people with dementia make food choices that don’t match their usual beliefs or preferences. For example, a person who has been a lifelong vegetarian may want to eat meat.
“For similar reasons, people who have other beliefs may start to want something different that they previously wouldn’t have eaten. For example, a person who does not eat pork for religious reasons may start to want pork.”
In certain instances, individuals may also exhibit compulsive eating behaviours or an excessive fascination with particular types of food. Support and advice are available for families dealing with these challenges.
Why do these changes in eating habits happen?
As dementia progresses, it’s not uncommon for those affected to encounter difficulties with eating and drinking, including fluctuations in appetite. Dementia Support has highlighted the fluid nature of our taste buds.
A spokesperson said: “Our sense of taste changes and develops at different stages of our lives, due to a combination of age, experiences and sometimes illnesses. We also know that changes to the sensory cortex within the brain can be experienced by people living with dementia and that too can result in changes to taste.”
For those caring for individuals with dementia, adapting to new dietary preferences is crucial. The Alzheimer’s Society offers several strategies for managing these shifts in eating habits.
Research indicates that a penchant for sweets may start (or grow) in dementia sufferers. This is thought to be because, as the disease progresses, the brain’s ability to identify and process flavours can be affected, making sweet tastes more prominent and appealing.
But, this newfound desire for sweets may become challenge caregivers trying to help their patient maintain a nutritious diet. To indulge these sweet cravings healthily, consider providing fruits or vegetables with natural sugars.
Enhancing savoury dishes with a touch of honey or sugar might also be beneficial. A comprehensive list of suggestions is available here, covering everything from aiding digestion to dealing with unusual food requests, such as a vegetarian suddenly asking for meat.
As the condition advances, patients might mistakenly consume inedible items like napkins or soap, which could stem from various causes. For instance, the individual might not be able to identify the object or its purpose, or they could be famished and confuse the object for food.
It’s beneficial to make sure everyone involved in the person’s care is informed of this behaviour and, if possible, remove non-edible items that could be confused as food. Any dangerous substances such as cleaning products should also be securely stored away as a precaution.