This is why you taste metal when you run

Scientists have found that even things as simple as the way you speak or having brain fog, or suffering from shoulder pain from sleeping, can be very revealing about your body and health.

Exercises such running can be very helpful in keeping fit. If you are already a runner, but experiencing a metal or blood taste in your mouth, every time you run, here's what it might mean for your health.

Tasting metal when you run

As per Marathon Handbook, it is actually pretty common for people to taste blood or metal when running. The metallic taste comes from iron content in your blood. So, when you taste metal or blood, it's an indication of bleeding in your mouth or respiratory passages.

Along with metal taste, if you feel unwell or have a history of chronic health issues or are just concerned, do visit a medical practitioner.

Reasons for experiencing 'metal mouth'

Here are some reasons you might taste metal. However, note that this is not an exhaustive list.

Oral hygiene

Your oral hygiene and state of your teeth and gums could impact the taste in your mouth. When you run, the physical activity increases circulation in your body, which means that any existing dental problems might surface strongly.

Dental issues such as periodontitis, gingivitis, cavities, tooth decay, and tooth infections, maybe be responsible for the metallic taste in your mouth.

Salivary stones might also lead to the metallic taste in your mouth.

Prescription drugs, or over-the-counter vitamins

Drugs and infections could also lead to you tasting metal or blood when you run.

'Burning mouth' syndrome

'Burning mouth' is a medical syndrome, where runners experience chronic burning feeling in the mouth. This is very often accompanied by other symptoms such as bitter or metallic taste. This condition is luckily, not so common.

Heavy breathing

Running often leads to heavy breathing, which causes fluid accumulation in the alveoli, which are small air sacs in the lungs. Sometimes, the increased pulmonary pressure during running can lead red blood cells to leak into the alveoli. If these burst, it could leads to a bloody or metallic taste in your mouth, as you keep breathing hard during your run.

Heartburn

When someone is experiencing heartburn, GERD, or acid reflux, it is possible for you to taste a metallic taste in the mouth from the acid coming up from your gastro-intestinal tract.

In some serious cases, Cleveland Clinic informs that metal taste in the mouth could also be a symptom of kidney or liver problems, undiagnosed diabetes or certain cancers.

Read more:

⋙ Running during a thunderstorm can have fatal consequences for your health

⋙ Running with your phone in your hand could be ruining your health

⋙ Stomach growling: What is your stomach trying to tell you?

Sources used:

Cleveland Clinic: ' Common Causes for a Metallic Taste in Your Mouth'

Marathon Handbook: ' Why Do I Taste Blood When I Run? 6 Possible Causes + Solutions'