What causes a bloody or metallic taste in your mouth during workouts? (2024)

Picture this: You’re in the middle of an intense workout. Your heart is racing. Your muscles are screaming. Sweat is dripping down your face. In your mouth is the unmistakable taste of blood.

Wait, what?

It might sound odd to some, but many athletes are familiar with this happening when they work out. A metallic, bloody taste in the mouth during intense exercise is not uncommon. The taste often isn’t accompanied by any visible blood in your saliva, which makes it even more perplexing.

A metallic or blood taste in your mouth during or after exercise can occur from a variety of causes. The potential culprits range from mucous membrane irritation to old metal fillings in one’s teeth to lactic acid buildup and pulmonary edema.

The general consensus among physicians and exercise physiologists, however, is that during intense anaerobic exercise, fluid can accumulate from increased pressure in the small air sacs of the lungs.

This is of particular concern when training when your cardiovascular fitness isn’t high, training at high altitude, or training in cold or dry air.

It’s during these situations that the heart must work harder than it’s conditioned to work, thus leading to a buildup of fluid in the lungs known as pulmonary edema. When this fluid builds up, the increased pressure leads to leakage of red blood cells into the small air sacs of the lungs and a release of hemoglobin from the red blood cells. Hemoglobin is a molecule contained in red blood cells that is key for allowing them to transport oxygen.

Hemoglobin molecules are bound to a central ion of iron. With intense exertion during exercise, some of the excess hemoglobin released from the leaky red blood cells in the lungs is transported through the bronchi to the mouth. Once in our mouths, the iron molecules come in contact with receptors on the tongue that are sensitive to iron. These receptors then relay the message to the brain that we sense as a metallic taste in our mouths, which can be perceived as blood or metal.

In an otherwise healthy person with no other symptoms, there is no significant medical concern. Rest and decreased training intensity while developing cardiovascular fitness will decrease the likelihood of this happening again. However, if symptoms persist (or you’ve ever coughed up blood or had other respiratory or cardiac concerns), consult your doctor to rule out other more serious causes.

Timothy Miller, MD, is the director of the Endurance Medicine Program at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and an associate professor of orthopedics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

What causes a bloody or metallic taste in your mouth during workouts? (1)

What causes a bloody or metallic taste in your mouth during workouts? (2024)

FAQs

What causes a bloody or metallic taste in your mouth during workouts? ›

Exercise may cause you to taste blood in your mouth with no blood. This can be related to the breakdown of red blood cells, which subsequently release small amounts of iron in the lungs, Lisa Lewis, MD, a pediatrician based in Texas, told Health.

Why do I taste blood in my mouth when I exercise? ›

When exercising, the effort exerted on top of the existing irritation might cause the mucous membranes to “bleed just ever so slightly,” Miller said. “That blood can leak down into the back of your throat, eventually touching your taste buds on your tongue,” he said.

What does it mean when you taste metal while working out? ›

“The thin tissue membrane in the lungs allows a small amount of red blood cells to leak into the air sacs. Then, during exhalation, the tongue is able to pick up trace amounts of blood that causes the taste of metal,” Laubmeier explains.

Why does my mouth bleed when I exercise? ›

Bleeding Gums – Blood pressure levels can rise while you're doing an intense workout. This pressure can cause your gums to bleed more often. If you already have gingivitis, this is even more likely. The only way to address this issue is with the help of your dentist.

Why can I taste metal or blood in my mouth? ›

Common causes of a metallic taste

gum disease. taking certain medicines, like metronidazole or zopiclone. cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. colds, sinus infections and other airway problems.

What does iron deficient blood taste like? ›

Iron is an essential mineral that helps transport oxygen throughout the body in your blood. When iron levels run low, you may start noticing the unpleasant metal mouth sensation. Along with anemia, low vitamin B12 or folic acid levels in the body can also trigger a metal mouth taste.

Does dehydration make your mouth taste like metal? ›

Drinking Excessive Fluids, Dry Mouth, Increased Thirst And Metallic Taste In Mouth. This combination of symptoms may be dehydration from any cause, including nausea and vomiting.

Is it bad to taste blood when running? ›

According to Dr. Robinson, the taste of blood during or after a workout is generally associated with exercise intensity and duration as well as certain environmental conditions. Because this metallic taste could be a sign of overworking, Dr.

Can dehydration cause mouth bleeding? ›

Can dehydration cause bleeding gums? Dehydration may cause gums to weaken and bleed upon contact. Dehydration increases a patient's risk of developing cavities and infection. Drinking water before and after eating is the best way to rehydrate and wash any leftover food or bacteria out of your mouth.

What does bleeding from the mouth indicate? ›

Bleeding from the mouth could occur from infection, anticoagulant medications, underlying health issues, or untreated injuries caused by trauma to the mouth, throat, or chest. Infections could lead to your cough having a bloody substance mixed with your saliva or mucus, which include: Bronchitis. Pneumonia.

When should I be concerned about a metallic taste in my mouth? ›

Most of the time, a metallic taste in your mouth is temporary and harmless. But it can be a symptom of a more serious health condition, so it's a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider if the metallic taste persists or is associated with other symptoms such as allergy symptoms, pain, or any signs of infection.

What organ causes metallic taste in mouth? ›

A metallic taste can indicate a serious illness, such as kidney or liver problems, undiagnosed diabetes or certain cancers. But these reasons are uncommon and typically accompanied by other symptoms. If you're otherwise healthy, the cause for that metallic tang typically is benign.

Can heart problems cause metallic taste in the mouth? ›

Now, let's address the burning question: Does a metallic taste in the mouth indicate a potential heart attack? The answer may surprise you – it is highly unlikely. While a metallic taste can be a cause for concern, it is generally not considered a direct symptom of a heart attack.

What causes metallic taste in mouth and fatigue? ›

When the kidneys are not functioning properly, waste materials can build up in the blood. This accumulation can cause a person to experience fatigue and a metallic taste in the mouth. In addition to metallic taste and fatigue, common kidney disease symptoms may include: frequent urination.

Can anxiety cause blood taste in mouth? ›

Bad taste in the mouth, including having a metallic, blood-like, ammonia, and other odd tastes in the mouth are often symptoms of anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and others.

Can stress cause taste of blood in mouth? ›

Yes, stress can lead to a metallic taste in the mouth as a result of changes in saliva composition and increased acidity levels. This sensation is often temporary and can be managed by practicing stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness or deep breathing exercises.

Why does my mouth taste like blood anxiety? ›

Anxiety can cause a wide range of physiological symptoms, including a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth. Research has shown that there's a strong connection between taste changes and stress — perhaps because of the chemicals that are released in your body as part of the fight-or-flight response.

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