During pregnancy, many unexpected symptoms appear, including a change in the taste of food, known as dysgeusia.

Food-related problems are one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy, with 92 percent of pregnant women reporting that they have taste problems, including dyspasia that affects women during the first trimester of pregnancy, according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine.

The American Pregnancy Association stated that dysphoria is a change in the sense of taste that causes aversion to food, as its taste becomes pungent, metallic or bitter, and this aversion can be from foods that were previously loved, and the opposite may happen; that pregnant women crave foods they did not prefer before.

Dyspasia does not cause overall health damage, but it does affect appetite and may cause food avoidance (Getty Images)

Popular Symptom

Several factors cause dysgeia, but for pregnant women, hormones are the biggest cause, as the rapid rise in estrogen and progesterone levels affects the sense of taste, and these hormones also affect saliva and make it more acidic, which affects the flavor of food.

Alex Josela, a gynecologist and obstetrician, pointed out to the journal "Parents" other causes of dysgeusia, including gastric reflux, dry mouth, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, metabolic disorders, inflammation, and dental problems.

Colds, stomatitis and some dental fillings can also cause dysgeusia.

How to deal with dysgeusia?

Dyspasia does not cause health damage in general, but it affects appetite and may cause avoiding food and not eating enough of it, so it must be dealt with, and these are some tips that can help you:

  • Avoid nauseous foods: If pregnancy is the cause of your dysgeusia, it may be new to you, but after a while you will be able to identify foods that have become unpleasant to you, and you can avoid them. If you don't know which foods cause dystaste, you can avoid strong flavors and spicy or acidic foods in general.

Several factors cause dyspasia, but for pregnant women, hormones are the biggest cause (Getty Images)

  • Chill your food: Eating cold helps reduce the effect of dystaste, as cold numbs the taste buds slightly, and reduces the sense of bad food taste, and eating ice flakes also leads to this effect, and cold food stimulates the secretion of saliva, which helps get rid of the bad taste in your mouth.
  • Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water and fluids helps keep your mouth moist and reduce dysporexia symptoms.
  • Mix water with salt and soda: The American Aries Association mentioned some tips to reduce the effect of dysgeusia, including mixing half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water, and rinsing with this mixture before eating.
  • Keep your mouth clean: Maintaining oral hygiene is one of the factors that help overcome the annoying taste. Keep brushing and flossing, don't forget to wash your tongue as well, and rinse your mouthwash regularly.

Alternative foods

The American Pregnancy Association has reported that drinking citrus juices, such as lemon juice, can help prevent the annoying flavor caused by dysgeusia.

Eating sugar-free mint or chewing sugar-free gum can also help, and it is also recommended to eat light-tasting foods, such as bread, rice, potatoes and yogurt without flavor.

Pay attention to the symptoms

Changes in the sense of taste during the first trimester of pregnancy are common, but you should pay attention if these changes affect your ability to eat enough food that your body needs, or if you find yourself losing weight, or suffering from constant vomiting, here it is recommended to communicate with a specialist doctor to reduce these negative effects.

You don't have to worry about dyschotomy, as your hormones stabilize in the second trimester, your taste buds are likely to return to normal, and you can eat your favorite food again without feeling disgusted.