Your Sense of Smell Declines as You Age, But Scientists Say Identifying a Sweet Scent Is Always the Easiest

By Nashia Baker

Research has backed the theory that people begin losing their sense of smell at the age of 55. However, scientists are now finding that it’s not an all-encompassing loss. According to a new study published in the journal Food Quality and Preference by University of Copenhagen researchers, people can still sense the smells of specific foods as they age. In fact, sweeter smells (like vanilla) are recognizable off the bat, while more savory foods (like meat and onions) are harder to identify.