However, a frequent salt craving could indicate an underlying health condition. And yet, why do you crave salt?
Boredom
It’s not unusual to have an intense craving for a salty food when you’re bored. Research shows that eating certain foods when you’re bored can stimulate the brain’s reward center, causing dopamine levels to rise.
Boredom eating can be an emotional eating behavior, and for many people, the snacks of choice are salty, sugary, or a combination of the two.
Dehydration
Your body needs sodium as an electrolyte to function properly. Dehydration occurs when electrolyte levels are irregular. You may crave salt to compensate for this imbalance.
The same part of the brain that controls hunger controls your thirst. Some research suggests that your body may crave salty snacks when you need water.
Chronic stress
Experiencing stress causes the adrenal glands to release cortisol and other appetite-related hormones, which can trigger cravings for salty, fatty, or sugary foods.
Stressful situations can also lead to emotional eating to calm yourself down, so your favorite salty food can also become salty during times of chronic stress.
Lack of sleep
Sleep deprivation can make you more likely to reach for guilty pleasure foods. Research shows that insufficient sleep increases cravings for high-calorie foods, including salty, sweet, and salty foods.
When there is a lack of sleep, hormonal signals cause the “reward” part of the brain to “ask” for a salty snack.
Excessive sweating
People who sweat a lot, either from exercise or exposure to heat, may crave salty foods. This is the body’s response to rebalancing sodium electrolyte levels, which is essential for overall functioning. If this is the reason you crave salt, you may also have other symptoms such as thirst and fatigue.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to the physical and emotional signs that are present a week or two before menstruation. Changes in thirst and appetite, including cravings for salty foods, are common during this stage. The mild dehydration that can occur during PMS can contribute to this.
Migraine
If you have migraines, there is a set of symptoms that can occur in the period before a migraine attack starts. Research shows that during the prodrome stage, one of the symptoms is a craving for salty foods. This may be because eating salty foods could help alleviate withdrawal migraines.
Drugs
Certain medications that affect the adrenal glands (organs that make hormones for metabolism, the immune system, and more) can make you crave salty snacks. Some medications include:
· Tramadol
· Antifungal drugs
· Glucocorticoids
· Checkpoint inhibitors for immunotherapy
· Inhibitor de proteinkinase
Always check with a doctor if any medications you are taking may contribute to salt cravings.
Sodium deficiency
For people who are deficient in sodium, salt cravings may occur. This common electrolyte deficiency (hyponatremia) can trigger the brain to produce salt appetite signals. It can be triggered by a variety of causes, including diarrhea, vomiting, heart failure, taking diuretic medications, certain kidney diseases, and more.
Read more on Click!Health
2024-01-04 18:08:00
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