Did you know? Researchers have discovered that your sense of smell might actually hint at your lifespan.

In a peculiar revelation, scientists propose that your sense of smell might hold clues to predicting your time of death. A 2014 study, focusing on olfactory dysfunction as a harbinger of mortality, asserted that the loss of smell is a more potent predictor of impending death than heart failure, cancer, or lung disease.

Dr. Jayant Pinto, the lead author, likens the loss of smell to a canary in the coal mine—an early warning indicating underlying health issues. The study, involving 3,005 older U.S. adults, assessed their olfactory abilities by having them identify five scents: peppermint, fish, orange, rose, and leather.

Results showed that 78% of participants with accurate identification had normal smelling abilities, 20% with two or three correct identifications had moderate smell loss, and 3.5% struggling to identify any or only one scent exhibited significant loss. After five years, 39% of the deceased adults had shown a significant loss of smell, suggesting a correlation between olfactory dysfunction and mortality.

Recommended Article Mary Berry’s chicken and bacon pie is the perfect comfort food for winter

While the damaged olfactory system itself doesn’t cause death, researchers speculate that a decreased ability to smell may indicate a decline in the body’s ability to rebuild key components, potentially contributing to mortality by other causes. The study suggests that olfactory dysfunction might be a sign of slowed cellular regeneration or the cumulative effects of environmental exposures over the years.

• Bread is good for lowering cholesterol and weight loss – but there’s a catch

• Man City LOSE landmark Premier League sponsorship vote as clubs turn against champions

• Iceland’s iconic Blue Lagoon forced to evacuate after volcano erupts without warning

• Ashley Cain announces baby news after daughter Azaylia’s tragic death