If you’re craving salt, the cause could be as simple as boredom or stress.
A persistent salt craving could indicate an underlying health condition.
miniseries / Getty Images
1.
miniseries / Getty Images
Dehydration
Your body needs sodium as an electrolyte to function properly.Dehydrationhappens whenelectrolyte levelsare off-kilter.
You may find yourself craving salt to make up for this imbalance.
The same part of the brain that controls hungercontrols your thirst.
Some research suggests that your body could be craving salty snacks when you actually need water.
In addition, they discussed several theories about salt consumption early in life.
Excessive Sweating
People whosweat a lot, whether from exercise or exposure to heat, may crave salty foods.
Sodium Deficiency
For people who are deficient in sodium, salt cravings could arise.
This prevents nutrients from being transported through the body, interfering with growth and other issues.
People with CF maydesire salty foodsbecause they lose sodium easily.This disorder is usually diagnosed shortly after birth.
It’s not uncommon to experience cravings for your favorite salty foods occasionally.
Take note if you’re experiencing other unusual symptoms, which may indicate a health condition oreating disorder.
How to Reduce Cravings
Excess sodium can lead to a range of health issues.
Consuming too much salt can increase your blood pressure and your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Dietary guidelines suggest that we consume less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day.
But the average American consumes about 3,400 mg per day.
Cutting back by even 1000mg per day could provide health benefits.
There are many different ways to reach that target to improve your health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About sodium and health.
2016;89(2):161.
2019 Dec 1;212:112725. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2019
Leshem M.Salt need needs investigation.Br J Nutr.
2017;25(4):713-720. doi:10.1002/oby.21790
MedlinePlus.Break the bonds of emotional eating.
doi:10.3390/healthcare8010006
MedlinePlus.Thirst - excessive.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
2019;568(7750):93-97. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1053-2
MedlinePlus.Low blood sodium.
doi:10.23907/2016.026
Cunha TDS, Heilberg IP.Bartter syndrome: causes, diagnosis, and treatment.Int J Nephrol Renovasc Dis.
2018;11:291-301. doi:10.2147/IJNRD.S155397
MedlinePlus.Bartter syndrome.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.Minerals.
MedlinePlus.Neonatal cystic fibrosis screening.
Adrenal Insufficiency Coalition.What is adrenal insufficiency?.
2022;107(8):e3107-e3114.
2017;2017:9815853. doi:10.1155/2017/9815853
American Heart Association.Why Should I Limit Sodium?
