– Jag skulle säga att det är ett genombrott. Att Covid-19 kan ge smakbortfall har man visat tidigare, men inte varför, säger Göran Andersson, professor i molekylärbiologi på SLU, Statens lantbruksuniversitet i Uppsala.Forskningsprojektet är ett tvärvetenskapligt samarbete mellan SLU, Akademiska sjukhuset och University of Wisconsin i USA och har pågått under några år.
Researchers have pinpointed a biological cause for persistent loss of taste following a COVID-19 infection, a development that could offer hope for those experiencing this lingering symptom. The discovery, announced on March 4, 2026, marks a significant step forward in understanding the long-term effects of the virus.
Scientists from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala University and institutions in the United States have found that disruptions in taste cells responsible for detecting sweet, bitter, and umami flavors may be to blame. This research builds on previous observations that COVID-19 can cause taste loss, but it’s the first to explain the underlying biological mechanisms.
“I would say that this is a breakthrough,” said Göran Andersson, professor of molecular biology at SLU. “We’ve known that Covid-19 can cause loss of taste, but not why.”
The study, a collaborative effort spanning several years between SLU, Akademiska sjukhuset, and the University of Wisconsin, sheds light on a condition that can lead to weight loss and poor health. Loss of taste, even partial, can significantly impact quality of life and nutritional intake, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing this post-COVID symptom.
Further research is ongoing to explore potential treatments and recovery strategies for individuals experiencing prolonged taste disturbances after COVID-19.
