Parosmia is a condition all coffee lovers should fear. The condition is a known side effect of Covid (and the so-called long Covid) which makes strong aromas, such as coffee, smell revolting…like garbage. And now scientists discovered what lies behind this phenomenon.
In a peer-reviewed study published in Communications Medicine via Nature.com, researchers from the University of Reading (UK) and the University College London Hospital found 15 different molecular triggers of the symptom. The most frequently reported trigger of parosmia was the molecule “2-furanmethanethiol”, which has the wonderous aroma of a strong roast coffee.
The research now confirms that that parosmia, which makes the morning cup smell putrid is not just “in your head” but an actual condition, and often the condition kicks in months after supposed recovery from a bout with Covid. According to one survey, while only 10% that suffered loss of smell during Covid or shortly thereafter reported incidence of parosmia, up to 47% reported the problem when surveyed later on.
The report on nature.com, says that during the recovery from a loss in the sense of small, such as from Covid, “sometimes certain smells can become revolting.’ The journal says that some strong smell such as coffee set off the condition parosmia which makes the sufferers smell something disgusting instead.
“These findings help in the understanding of what chemical compounds trigger parosmia, which may help in developing diagnostics and therapies for this condition in the future,” said the report.