Impaired Gustation in Liver Diseases: A Comprehensive Narrative Literature Review.

Abstract

<h4>Objective</h4>Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is one of the fastest-growing liver disorders worldwide. It is driven by obesity and type 2 diabetes. Taste perception plays a key role in appetite regulation and nutrition, also influencing other liver diseases progression. This review summarizes past and current evidence on taste disorders in liver diseases and their clinical implications.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>A narrative review of PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Research Gate databases was conducted using selected MeSH terms.<h4>Results</h4>Taste disturbances have been reported in viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, Wilson's disease, amebic liver abscesses, and NAFLD/MASLD, as well as in nutritional deficiencies (zinc, magnesium, vitamin A, branched-chain amino acids). Dysgeusia was linked to reduced appetite, sarcopenia, malnutrition, altered food preferences, and obesity risk in MASLD. Taste impairments worsen with liver dysfunction progression. Several drugs (e.g., interferon, metronidazole) contribute to dysgeusia. Zinc deficiency was the most consistent factor. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor modulators, affecting appetite and sweet/umami perception, appear promising in MASLD therapy.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Taste disorders are prevalent and still under-recognized in populations with liver diseases. The cause of these disorders remains unclear. Most of available studies affecting nutrients deficiencies are outdated. More research targeting molecular pathways of taste modulation (e.g., GLP-1 receptors), as well as determining the prevalence and clinical consequences of dysgeusia in specific liver disease stages is needed to better understand how micronutrient deficiencies and medications affect taste disorders.