Salt, also known as sodium chloride, is often considered unhealthful, but did you know that it is an essential nutrient that our bodies actually require in relatively low amounts? Here we will discussed about the salt cravings and psychology behing it!
Not only does salt amplify food recipes, but it also stabilizes the balance of fluids in our body, reducing the risk of dehydration and supporting a good night’s sleep and healthy digestion.
But, it is advised that we should consume a limited amount of salt, up to 6 mg every day. This is because excessive sodium intake can exert multiple side effects on our health.
Such as:
- Cardiovascular issues
- Increased risk of hypertension
- Water retention
- Heart disease
What Does Craving Salty Foods Mean?
Some people crave salt and consume it in relatively high quantities, which could possibly harm their health. Salt cravings can arise for various reasons.
Generally, salt has an addictive flavor, and we humans are sometimes driven to crave it, specifically when we do not have enough in our bodies.
6 Reasons Why People Crave Salty Foods
Here are some common factors that can be regarded as major culprits behind your salt cravings:
1. You Are Dehydrated
If your body is continuously craving salty food items, you might be dehydrated. Sodium is a natural electrolyte that helps to balance out the fluid levels of our cells.
When your body becomes dehydrated, its sodium levels lower, which disturbs the electrolyte balance. It signals that you are in need to increase your fluid intake.
However, dehydration can sometimes also indicate other symptoms, such as:
Nevertheless, if a person consistently yearns for foods high in salt composition, he can also be suffering from other issues. In most cases, dehydration is not always the primary factor for such cravings.
2. You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep
Inadequate sleep can cause disruption in your body’s overall hormonal levels, resulting in salt cravings. When a person is unable to acquire good sleep, his cortisol levels rise.
As a result, he loses his self-control over certain foods that are supposed to be eaten in moderate amounts.
3. You’re Under Stress
When people are combating mental health issues, they often increase the intake of their favorite comfort foods in order to feel fuller and happier. These foods can either be high in sodium, fat, or sugar.
Furthermore, research also indicates that higher stress levels give rise to ghrelin in our bodies. It is a hormone particularly associated with hunger, which can make your favorite snacks even harder to resist.Â
Excessive consumption of these favorite comfort food items can badly influence your overall health after a certain amount of time.
4. You’re Experiencing Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Women also experience salt cravings due to various physical and emotional fluctuations before the onset of their menstrual period. Certain food cravings are common symptoms during this period.
5. You’re Excessively Sweating
Too much sweating or hyperhidrosis commonly reduces sodium levels in our bodies. As a result, our bodies respond to it with an increased desire for salt.
In most cases, this happens in athletes or active individuals after they perform intense physical activities.
6. Addison’s Disease
People experiencing Addison’s disease can also suffer from increased salt cravings. In this disease, the adrenal glands produce inadequate levels of cortisol and aldosterone hormones.
These hormones regulate important body functions and support fight and flight responses. So, having this disease can also lead to salty food cravings.
5 Ways to Combat Salt Cravings
Have you ever found yourself yearning for popcorn or ordering extra salty mashed potatoes from your favorite cafe? If so, your body might be hankering for sodium.
Though salty foods can be satisfying for your taste buds, still, their excessive intake ultimately makes you fall prey to various health problems.
- Increase your water intake.
- Try to pre-plan your meals.
- Set limits.
- Minimize the consumption of processed food items and try to make your meals at home.
- Eat foods that can prevent salt cravings, such as citrus fruits and herbs.
Tips for Taming Salt Cravings Without the Salt
There are various ways to satiate your salty hankerings:
- Opt for fresh vegetables and fruits as a snacking option.
- Try to add vinegar to your meals instead of a lot of salt as it provides a similar flavor to sodium.
- Eat unsalted nuts and seeds to curb your evening hunger.
5 Easy Ways to Avoid Salt Cravings by Ayurveda
To Conclude
We discuss what the craving for salty foods is and what are the reasons for it. Salt is a basic need of our body, but we should also consider its harms and use tricks to avoid craving salty foods.
FAQs
What Vitamin Causes Salt Cravings?
Studies indicate that sudden cravings for salt can be driven due to certain vitamin deficiencies such as calcium.
This is because when we eat something high in salt, the sodium temporarily raises calcium levels in the blood, which tricks our bodies into thinking that the calcium deficiency has been fulfilled.
Does Depression Cause Salt Cravings?
People battling with depression are usually more hankered toward their favorite snacks that are often high in salt. This is because these foods can help stave off feelings of grief and make a person feel good.
What Is the Most Significant Reason My Body Craves Salt?
There must be numerous culprits behind your salt cravings. However, researchers have found that certain neurological mechanisms in the brain could provoke addiction to salty food items.
Such foods stimulate feelings of pleasure in the brain, just like opiates do.
