People born without sense of smell breathe differently, study finds

The study involved 21 people with congenital anosmia and 31 with an unimpaired sense of smell. Photograph: Juice Images/Alamy

People born without a sense of smell breathe differently to those with one, researchers have found, which could help explain why problems with odour perception are associated with a host of health issues.

While some have dismissed the sense of smell as unimportant – Charles Darwin said it was “of extremely slight service” to humans – studies have associated its loss with depression, feelings of personal isolation and even an increased risk of early death.