how often do your taste buds change

The average person's taste buds regenerate approximately every 10 days to two weeks. This process helps maintain taste sensitivity despite daily wear and tear. However, the rate of regeneration can slow with age, starting around the 40s and 50s, which may lead to a reduced sense of taste. Factors like smoking and alcohol consumption can also impact the health and regeneration rate of taste buds. By adulthood, the number of taste buds decreases and their functionality can diminish, which sometimes causes taste preferences to change over time.