Eating more fruits, vegetables, coffee, and tea is associated with better smell function and lower rates of reduced smell, according to a 2026 cross-sectional study of 6,690 people in the Cooperative Health Research in South Tyrol (CHRIS) study. Gram Research analysis shows that people following healthy plant-rich diets had significantly better olfactory function compared to those eating unhealthy plant-based foods, suggesting that diet quality may help protect this important sense.
A new study of nearly 7,000 people found that eating more fruits, vegetables, and plant-based foods is linked to having a better sense of smell. Researchers from the Cooperative Health Research in South Tyrol (CHRIS) study tested people’s ability to identify different odors and compared it to what they ate. Those who followed healthy plant-rich diets had stronger smelling abilities, while people who ate unhealthy plant-based foods (like processed snacks) had weaker smell. Since a poor sense of smell can be an early sign of brain aging and is linked to serious health problems, this discovery suggests that diet choices might help protect this important sense as we get older.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 6,690 participants found that higher adherence to healthy plant-rich dietary patterns was associated with better olfactory function and lower rates of hyposmia compared to unhealthy plant-based diets.
According to research reviewed by Gram, higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, coffee, and tea was beneficially associated with both better smell function and lower rates of reduced smell in nearly 7,000 adults.
The CHRIS study of 6,690 people showed that all healthy dietary patterns, including Mediterranean diet and plant-based indices, were linked to improved olfactory function independent of age, smoking status, and other health conditions.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether eating healthy plant-based foods affects how well people can smell
- Who participated: 6,690 adults from South Tyrol, Italy, representing a mix of ages and backgrounds from the general population
- Key finding: People who ate more fruits, vegetables, coffee, and tea had significantly better smell function and lower rates of hyposmia (reduced sense of smell) compared to those eating unhealthy plant-based diets
- What it means for you: Eating more plant-based whole foods like fruits and vegetables may help protect your sense of smell, which is important for enjoying food and detecting potential dangers. However, this study shows an association, not proof that diet causes better smell, so other factors likely matter too.
The Research Details
Researchers collected information from 6,690 people about what they ate using a detailed food questionnaire. They then tested each person’s ability to identify different smells using the Sniffin’Sticks test, a standard tool that measures how well someone can recognize odors. The researchers compared the dietary patterns of people with good smell to those with reduced smell, looking at five different diet quality scores including Mediterranean diet, plant-based diet, and unhealthy plant-based diet patterns.
This type of study, called cross-sectional, takes a snapshot of people at one point in time rather than following them over years. It’s useful for finding connections between diet and smell, but it cannot prove that one causes the other. The researchers used statistical methods to account for other factors that might affect smell, like age, smoking, and health conditions.
Understanding what factors affect smell is important because a weakened sense of smell can signal early brain aging and is linked to increased risk of death in older adults. If diet plays a role in protecting smell, it suggests another reason to eat healthy plant-based foods. This research helps explain why diet quality matters beyond just weight and heart health.
This study’s strengths include its large sample size of nearly 7,000 people and the use of a validated smell test rather than just asking people if they could smell well. The researchers also measured diet using a detailed questionnaire and adjusted for many other factors that could affect results. However, because this is a snapshot study rather than following people over time, we cannot be certain that diet causes better smell. People who eat healthy diets may also exercise more, sleep better, or have other healthy habits that protect their smell.
What the Results Show
People who followed healthy plant-rich dietary patterns had significantly better olfactory function and lower rates of hyposmia (reduced sense of smell) compared to those who did not. The study found this pattern across multiple healthy diet types, including the Mediterranean diet, the Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010, and plant-based dietary indices.
Specific foods showed the strongest benefits: higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, coffee, and tea were all associated with better smell function and lower rates of hyposmia. In contrast, people who followed unhealthy plant-based diets, which typically include processed plant foods and refined grains, showed worse olfactory function.
The associations remained significant even after researchers accounted for age, sex, smoking status, and other health conditions that might affect smell. This suggests that diet quality itself plays a meaningful role in smell function, independent of these other factors.
The study examined five different dietary pattern indices to see which eating approaches were most protective. All healthy dietary patterns showed benefits, suggesting that multiple approaches to healthy eating can support smell function. The consistent finding across different diet types indicates that the key factor is eating more whole plant foods rather than following one specific diet philosophy.
This is one of the first large studies to examine the connection between overall diet quality and smell function in a general population. Previous research has shown that individual nutrients and health conditions affect smell, but this study adds evidence that dietary patterns as a whole matter. The findings align with research showing that plant-rich diets protect brain health in other ways, suggesting a broader protective effect of healthy eating on nervous system function.
This study cannot prove that eating healthy plant foods causes better smell because it only captures one moment in time. People who eat healthy diets may differ in many other ways from those who do not, and those other differences could explain the results. The study relied on people’s memory of what they ate, which can be inaccurate. Additionally, the study was conducted in one region of Italy, so results may not apply equally to all populations worldwide.
The Bottom Line
Gram Research analysis shows that increasing intake of fruits, vegetables, coffee, and tea is associated with better smell function. These foods are already recommended for overall health, so this finding provides additional motivation to follow these eating patterns. People concerned about smell loss or brain aging should prioritize whole plant foods over processed plant-based products. Confidence in this recommendation is moderate, as the study shows association rather than causation.
This research is most relevant for older adults concerned about brain aging and smell loss, since reduced smell is linked to serious health outcomes in this group. Anyone interested in protecting their sense of smell and overall brain health should consider these findings. People with existing smell problems should discuss dietary changes with their doctor, as smell loss can have multiple causes requiring different treatments.
Changes in smell function may take weeks to months to develop, as smell depends on both immediate factors and long-term health status. Establishing a healthy plant-rich diet should be viewed as a long-term investment in brain health rather than expecting rapid improvements in smell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does eating more vegetables improve your sense of smell?
A 2026 study of 6,690 people found that higher vegetable consumption was associated with better smell function and lower rates of reduced smell. However, this shows correlation, not proof that vegetables cause better smell.
What foods help protect your sense of smell?
Research shows fruits, vegetables, coffee, and tea were most beneficial for smell function. These foods are rich in antioxidants and compounds that may protect the nervous system, including smell-related nerves.
Is a poor sense of smell a sign of aging?
Reduced smell can be an early indicator of brain aging and is associated with increased health risks in older adults. The study suggests that healthy plant-rich diets may help protect smell function as part of overall brain health protection.
Can diet changes reverse smell loss?
This study shows association between healthy diets and better smell, but cannot prove diet reverses existing smell loss. If you have significant smell problems, consult a doctor, as multiple conditions can cause this issue.
What is hyposmia and why does it matter?
Hyposmia is reduced ability to smell. It matters because it’s linked to increased mortality risk in older adults and can indicate early brain aging. Protecting smell through diet may be one way to support long-term health.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily servings of fruits, vegetables, coffee, and tea consumed, aiming for at least 5 servings of produce and 1-2 cups of coffee or tea daily. Rate your ability to smell familiar foods weekly on a scale of 1 to 10.
- Add one new fruit or vegetable to your weekly meals and replace one processed snack with a whole plant food. Log these additions in the app to build awareness of dietary improvements.
- Monitor plant food intake weekly and track smell perception monthly using a simple self-assessment. Compare trends over 3 to 6 months to see if dietary improvements correlate with changes in smell function.
This research shows an association between plant-rich diets and better smell function but does not prove diet causes improved smell. Individual results vary based on genetics, age, health conditions, and other factors. If you experience significant smell loss or changes in smell, consult a healthcare provider, as this can indicate various medical conditions requiring professional evaluation. Always discuss major dietary changes with your doctor, especially if you take medications or have existing health conditions. This article is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.