Mouth Feels Bitter during Fasting? Here’s How to Overcome It! | Good Doctor

In the month of Ramadan, maybe you have wondered. Why does the mouth taste bitter when fasting? Of course this is very annoying, right?

However, don’t panic just yet, let’s see the explanation below so that your fast continues blessed.

Why does the mouth taste bitter when fasting?

Medically there are many reasons why the mouth feels bitter when fasting. Starting from an increase in stomach acid, oral hygiene factors that are not maintained, to the influence of certain drugs.

Basically this is not a serious health problem. But so that fasting worship increases afdolthere’s nothing wrong with finding out the cause and how to overcome it.

1. Lack of fluid intake

Not being able to drink as usual during fasting does not only cause thirst in the mouth. This also reduces saliva production drastically.

According to dietitians at Swisse Wellness dietitian, Simone Austin, saliva itself functions to keep the acid and pH levels in the mouth normal. So in addition to keeping bacteria from multiplying, saliva also plays a role in keeping the sense of taste functioning optimally.

That is why a decrease in saliva production during fasting can change the chemical composition of the incoming food and cause a bitter taste in the mouth.

2. Increase in stomach acid

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that occurs in people with ulcers. One of the symptoms that arise in this disease is the appearance of a bitter and sour sensation in the mouth.

As we know when fasting the stomach does not get food during the day. This triggers the valve esophagus weakens and pushes food from the stomach back up towards the throat.

This of course will feel uncomfortable because the food has mixed with stomach acid. This is what makes the frequency of mouth taste bitter to appear more and more frequently during fasting.

3. Iron deficiency

Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of impaired taste. This is because one of its functions is to produce the named protein enzyme gustin which functions as a taste bud.

Apart from a lack of iron intake, poor absorption of iron in the digestive system can also cause taste disturbances such as a bitter taste in the mouth.

Before taking certain treatment steps, it’s a good idea to do a blood test at the nearest hospital to determine whether you have iron deficiency or not.

4. Rarely brush your teeth

Do you brush your teeth regularly during fasting? If the answer is no, then it’s no wonder that the mouth feels bitter during fasting.

Not routinely maintaining oral hygiene can be the cause of a bitter taste in the mouth when fasting. This happens because leftovers in the mouth continue to accumulate and make bacteria multiply rapidly.

If left continuously it will not only cause your mouth to taste bitter, you can also experience irritation, abscesses and other mouth disorders.

5. Consumption of certain drugs

If in the month of Ramadan you are on certain medications. It’s a good idea to double-check the medicines you’re taking.

This is because there are several types of drugs that can cause the mouth to taste bitter. One of them is antibiotics and several types of drugs for heart disease.

How to deal with a bitter mouth

There are several ways that you can do to get rid of a bitter mouth when fasting.

• Routine brushing teeth after sahur and breaking the fast
• Avoid spicy food which can trigger acid reflux
• Gargle with salt water solution regularly.

Those are the ways you can apply to overcome a bitter taste in your mouth when fasting. I hope your fast goes well.

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