➡️8. A Sore, Smooth, Red Tongue
Take a look at your tongue in the mirror. A healthy tongue is covered in tiny bumps called papillae, which house your taste buds. In a B12 deficiency, you might notice that your tongue becomes sore, red, and swollen, a condition known as glossitis. The papillae can seem to disappear, giving the tongue an unnaturally smooth surface. You might also experience a burning sensation or changes in how food tastes. This is a direct physical manifestation of the deficiency’s effect on cell turnover and health.
