Why does food become tasteless whenever you have cold?

It's not that food becomes tasteless when you have a cold, but rather that your sense of taste is impaired. Here's why:

* Congestion: When you have a cold, your nasal passages become inflamed and congested. This blocks the passage of air and limits your ability to smell.

* Smell and Taste Connection: Taste and smell are closely intertwined. Roughly 80% of what we perceive as taste is actually due to smell. When your nose is congested, your ability to smell is reduced, and therefore your sense of taste is diminished as well.

* Inflammation: The inflammation in your nasal passages can also affect the taste buds themselves, making them less sensitive.

* Medications: Some cold medications can also contribute to a loss of taste.

In summary: It's not that food becomes tasteless, but rather your ability to taste it fully is reduced due to the congestion and inflammation associated with a cold. This is primarily because your sense of smell is compromised.