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Dec 19, 2022 · You may crave salt as a symptom of a medical condition that requires treatment. That’s why you should never ignore chronic cravings. Below are some conditions that may cause you to...
- Dehydration or Overhydration. Sodium is a vital mineral and electrolyte found in your body’s fluids that helps to control how much water goes in and out of cells (among many other things).
- Intense Exercise. Along the same lines, intense exercise with excessive sweating can cause you to crave salt because you have lost electrolytes through perspiration.
- Chronic Stress. Perhaps surprisingly, being chronically stressed can cause salt cravings. Although researchers aren’t entirely sure what causes this, some speculate that eating salt stimulates your hypothalamus to release dopamine, a “pleasure” neurotransmitter.
- Being Tired. Not getting enough sleep—especially night after night—is known to weaken your resolve to eat healthy. Studies show that people who undersleep are more likely to eat high-salt, high-fat, and high-sugar foods than those who are well-rested.
- You’re dehydrated. Dehydration is a fairly common reason for many kinds of food cravings, including salt. Greunke explains that dehydration-related salt cravings can pop up for various reasons: There’s the obvious—like maybe you’re not drinking enough fluids, but there are also less obvious reasons, such as if you’re dealing with a stomach bug or some other illness that’s causing you to vomit.
- You’ve been working out intensely. As you sweat, the amount of salt in your body gradually depletes. So, a challenging spin class or run that has you dripping with sweat can decrease the salt level in your body to a point where it needs to be replenished.
- You’re under a lot of stress. When you’re under a lot of pressure, your body doesn’t just react mentally and emotionally, but physically too, and this can include cravings for salty foods, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
- You’re dealing with an underlying health condition. Salt cravings are common in life and often don’t signal anything too serious going on in your body, but certain medical conditions can leave you with more salt cravings than usual.
Dec 15, 2020 · 6 reasons you’re craving salt. A salty hankering often comes from a combination of factors, says Czerwony. “You have to weigh out everything. If it’s a short-term craving, it could be based on how you were feeling and the situation at the time. But if you always need salt, then talk to your doctor.
Dec 22, 2023 · If you’re craving salt, you may be experiencing boredom or stress that fuel your food craving, or you could have a medical condition. Here’s what you need to know.
- Cristina Mutchler
Aug 8, 2022 · Salt craving is a compelling or extreme desire to consume salt or salty foods. Craving salt can occur for many reasons, including behavioral habits, noncancerous biological processes such as pregnancy, and clinical illnesses.
May 9, 2024 · Salt cravings can be due to factors such as boredom, stress, or a medical condition. This article lists eight potential causes for salt cravings.
