Eyes may be the windows to the soul, but your tongue could be a tell-tale sign of your health, according to experts.
Although it's not as poetic, doctors suggest a quick tongue test can reveal a lot about what's going on inside and may even indicate when it's time to book an appointment with your GP.
Dr Anis Khalaf, a specialist in Traditional Chinese Medicine, took to TikTok to share his insights, explaining four key factors to consider when examining the tongue. "Chinese medicine practitioners believe the appearance of the tongue holds important clues to your health," he shared on his @acupuncturefit platform.
"They look at four factors - colour, shape, coating and moisture... For instance, if you have blood stagnation, your tongue might have a purplish hue with dark spots. Someone with too much heat might have a red tip tongue with a thin yellow coating in the middle."
Adding to this discussion, Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a GP at the UK Care Guide, revealed other potential warning signs on the tongue which could suggest something is wrong internally. Speaking to Mirror, he said: "I've seen that certain signs on the tongue can indeed suggest underlying health issues.
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"For instance, a very red tongue can sometimes indicate a fever or an inflammatory condition, while a tongue with a thick white coating might suggest a fungal infection like oral thrush. Also, a smooth, glossy tongue could be a sign of a nutritional deficiency, particularly vitamin B12 or iron.
"From what I've observed, another key indicator is the presence of sores or ulcers on the tongue, which can sometimes be symptomatic of more serious conditions such as oral cancer or underlying systemic diseases."
According to Dr Cunningham, a typical, healthy tongue should have a pinkish colour and a thin white coating. Although a slight roughness is normal, it's surface should be fairly moist without any cracks, sores or 'unusual discolourations'.
Despite this, quick tongue examinations shouldn't be relied upon to completely diagnose an issue. Further tests should be conducted to verify the root cause of whatever abnormal tongue coating or texture you're experiencing.
He explained: "While modern medicine acknowledges that certain conditions might show symptoms on the tongue, such as deficiencies or infections, I don't think you should consider tongue examination alone to be a comprehensive diagnostic method.
"I’d say that it is important to pay attention to any persistent changes in the tongue's appearance, as these can sometimes be early indicators of more serious conditions. For example, persistent redness, pain, or changes in texture should not be ignored.
"Regular dental check-ups can also help catch any issues early, as dentists are trained to look for signs of oral health problems, including those that might manifest on the tongue."
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