A Literature Review of Taste Change and Zinc Deficiency After Bariatric Surgery: Could There Be a Causal Link?

Mozaffar, Boshra; Idris, Iskandar

Abstract

In this review, we collated evidence relating to taste change and zinc deficiency in relation to bariatric surgery (BS) and effects of zinc replacement on taste perception and speculate on the possible role of zinc deficiency to induce taste change after BS. A literature search was conducted (33 studies, N = 3264). We showed that taste change and zinc deficiency are frequent complications after BS, which both typically occurred at 6 months post-surgery. Our analysis did not support a causal link between the two, but similar onset of incidences indirectly indicates a link. Supplementation with 45–50 mg of zinc sulphate, higher than current recommendation, was effective in improving taste. Further studies are required to establish the causal link between the two in the context of BS.

Citation

Mozaffar, B., & Idris, I. (2023). A Literature Review of Taste Change and Zinc Deficiency After Bariatric Surgery: Could There Be a Causal Link?. Obesity Surgery, 33, 313-331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-022-06197-4

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Jul 1, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Nov 19, 2022
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Deposit Date: Aug 25, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 20, 2023
• Journal: Obesity Surgery
• Print ISSN: 0960-8923
• Electronic ISSN: 1708-0428
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 33
• Pages: 313-331
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-022-06197-4
• Keywords: taste change; taste disorder; bariatric surgery; zinc; zinc sulphate or Zn; deficiency; supplementation; and micro-nutrient deficiencies
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/10365185
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11695-022-06197-4