3. Bright red tongue
This one has probably got you worried, considering it looks like you’ve eaten a whole punnet of strawberries or perhaps five beets in a row. A glossy, bright red tongue often signifies a vitamin deficiency, in particular iron or vitamin B12. These two vitamins are not only essential for a range of healthy functions in your body, they’re also required for the maturation of papillae on your tongue. If you’re lacking in iron or B12, the loss of those papillae means your tongue takes on a smooth, almost glossy texture.
While you shouldn’t experience any pain or discomfort, severe iron or B12 deficiency and the resulting smoothness of the tongue can make eating hot or spicy foods miserable. Basically, if you’ve got a notably red, smooth tongue, consult your doctor or get a comprehensive blood test to see whether you’re vitamin deficient. Vegetarians are particularly at risk, as a lot of our vitamin B12 and iron intake comes from red meat.
