What causes SALT cravings?
— Stress. When stress levels rise, many people crave their favorite foods for comfort. These are often high in fat, sugar, or salt aka sodium. An article in the Journal of Health Psychology found a significant association between chronic stress, food cravings, and higher body mass index (BMI). Another study found a link between stress and higher levels of the hormone ghrelin, which increases hunger. The results of the study suggest that ghrelin may increase food cravings and lead to weight gain.
— Lack of sleep. People who do not get enough sleep may crave snacks with high “satisfaction levels” such as salty, crunchy foods. A study in the journal Sleep found that people who were sleep-deprived were less able to resist cravings for their favorite unhealthy foods. This resulted in weight gain. Because lack of sleep is linked to many health problems, people who are consistently having inadequate rest should discuss this with their doctors.
— Boredom. Eating salty foods due to boredom is similar to stress eating. It’s another emotional eating behavior.
— Excessive sweating. Sweat contains salt, so when a person sweats, their sodium levels decrease. For most people, light sweating is nothing to worry about. Sodium levels do not drop significantly with day to day sweating, and typically, only water is needed to replace fluids after a workout. When a person loses too much sodium, their body may begin to crave salt. One study found that people who work in hot conditions for 10 hours can lose up to 15 grams of salt, although this number may vary widely from person to person. Electrolyte-enhanced drinks or sports drinks are recommended for people who exercise excessively or who spend long hours in a hot environment. These drinks contain sodium and other electrolytes to replace what is lost through sweat.
— Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A woman may experience a variety of physical and emotional changes in the days leading up to her period. Food cravings, incl. a craving for meat and salty foods, are a common symptom as they are related to hormonal fluctuations.
— Addison’s disease. Addison’s disease, or adrenal insufficiency, occurs when the adrenal glands do not make enough hormones. These hormones control the body’s response to stress and regulate blood pressure. As a result, Addison’s disease can cause very low blood pressure and sudden cravings for salt. Besides salt cravings, people with Addison’s disease may experience:
low appetite or unplanned weight loss
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
dizziness or fainting due to low blood pressure
low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia
depression or irritability
irregular or absent menstrual periods
Addison’s disease may be caused by:
certain bacterial or fungal infections
stopping long-term steroid medications
Addison’s disease requires medical care to replace the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making. In severe cases, a person may go into adrenal crisis. This happens when levels of cortisol in the body drop to dangerous levels. Adrenal crisis is a medical emergency.
— Bartter syndrome. Bartter syndrome is a genetic condition that is present at birth. People with Bartter syndrome cannot reabsorb sodium in their kidneys. As a result, they lose too much sodium in their urine, which leads to a loss of potassium and calcium as well. Due to low levels of sodium, people with Bartter syndrome may crave salt. They may also experience:
slow weight gain, also seen in children
the need to urinate often
muscle cramps and weakness
This syndrome is usually diagnosed in infancy or childhood through urine and blood tests. It can be managed with potassium, salt, and magnesium supplements.
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