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Review
. 2023 Jan;33(1):313-331.
doi: 10.1007/s11695-022-06197-4. Epub 2022 Nov 19.

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

Boshra Mozaffar  1   2 , Iskandar Idris  3
Affiliations
Review

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

Boshra Mozaffar et al. Obes Surg. 2023 Jan.

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.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Deficiency; Micro-nutrient deficiencies; Supplementation; Taste change; Taste disorder; Zinc; Zinc sulphate or Zn.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Flow diagram of study inclusions
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