Hina Khan reveals she couldn’t taste anything she ate during chemo days, Sunil Grover aka ‘Gutthi’ would send cookbooks | Health News

Hina Khan, who has been candid about her cancer diagnosis and treatment journey, recently opened up about a heartfelt gesture from comedian-actor Sunil Grover during her chemotherapy days.
In a touching Instagram post, ahead of World Cancer Day, Hina shared how Sunil helped her cope with one of the most frustrating side effects of chemotherapy—loss of taste.
Posting a picture with Sunil at the airport, Hina wrote:
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“Bumped into my fav Padosi this morning at the airport I will always remember your long motivating session in the refuge area after my diagnosis and how you used to send me cookbooks during my chemo days so that I can try out different varieties of dishes to cope with the loss of taste. You are, as we all know, a great performer, a great human being, and a great friend. Thank you for always being kind to me ♥️ Love you Suni.”

Why does chemotherapy cause loss of taste?
According to Dr Nithin SG, Consultant, Medical Oncology, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, chemotherapy works targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells, but it also affects normal cells, including those in the mouth and taste buds. This leads to several side effects, including taste alterations, dry mouth, oral discomfort, and, in severe cases, mucositis (inflammation of the mouth lining).
The destruction of taste buds is one of the primary reasons for altered taste perception. However, chemotherapy can also reduce saliva production, leading to a dry mouth, further impacting taste. In some cases, nerve damage in the mouth can also contribute to taste changes.
Typical taste alterations include:

A persent bitter or metallic taste
Complete loss of taste, making food seem bland
Certain foods becoming unpalatable or even painful to eat

These changes vary from patient to patient and depend on the type of chemotherapy drugs used.
How patients can manage taste changes during chemotherapy
Dr Nithin SG suggests several strategies to help patients cope with taste loss:Story continues below this ad

Experiment with different flavours: Trying various foods, such as ice creams or alternating between salty and sour flavours, can improve the eating experience.
Eat what tastes good: If a favourite dish like biryani tastes bitter, it’s better to find a more palatable alternative rather than forcing oneself to eat it.
Maintain good oral hygiene: Brushing with a soft-brled toothbrush, rinsing after meals, and using an alcohol-free mouthwash or a homemade rinse with lukewarm water, baking soda, and salt can help.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, and tobacco, as they can worsen oral health and intensify taste changes.
Stay hydrated: For those experiencing dry mouth, chewing on citrus fruits like lemon or using sugar-free chewing gum can help stimulate saliva production.

following these strategies, chemotherapy patients can better manage taste changes and maintain their overall well-being during treatment.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.