Can You Still Taste a Bad Taco 18-21 Hours Later?

[BoundByAxioms]

I recently ate some bad meat (as in bad tasting) in a taco, which gave me bad stomach aches and indigestion. Every time that I eructed I could smell and taste the taco, even 18-21 hours after I had eaten it. Was I really smelling/ tasting it, or was it all in my head? Is it possible to still taste something you ate even after 18-21 hours?

 

[turbo]

If your body reacted by sequestering the food in your stomach (to allow acids to kill the bad stuff) rather than passing it on to the lower digestive tract, why not? I'm not a doctor, but I've had food "come back" on me for fairly extended periods, and it is possible that this is a defense mechanism.

Note: In the past several years, since I have been growing and processing lots of hot chili peppers and liberally using them in my cooking and as garnishes/relishes, this has not been a problem. I noticed it more when I was traveling for business a lot, eating out, and generally wolfing down low-fiber meals.

 

[quicknote]

I can confidently say that it is possible to still taste something you ate even after 18-21 hours. Our sense of taste and smell are closely linked, and both play a role in our perception of flavor. When we eat something, the molecules responsible for its taste and smell interact with receptors on our taste buds and olfactory cells. These receptors send signals to our brain, allowing us to perceive the flavor of the food.

However, these molecules can also linger in our mouth and nasal passages, especially if they are particularly strong or pungent. In the case of a bad taco, it is likely that the unpleasant taste and smell of the meat remained in your mouth and nose for an extended period of time, even after you had finished eating it. This is because the chemicals responsible for the bad taste and smell can be stubborn and difficult to remove.

Furthermore, our brains have a powerful ability to associate certain smells and tastes with specific memories or experiences. This is known as the "Proustian phenomenon," named after the French author Marcel Proust who famously wrote about the power of smell and taste to evoke memories. In your case, the unpleasant experience of eating the bad taco may have triggered a strong association in your brain, causing you to continue to taste and smell it even after 18-21 hours.

In conclusion, it is not uncommon to continue to taste and smell something you ate even after a significant amount of time has passed. This is due to the lingering presence of chemical molecules in our mouth and nose, as well as the powerful connection between our senses and memories. However, if you continue to experience these sensations for an extended period of time, it is always best to consult a medical professional to ensure there are no underlying health issues.