7 Reasons You Could Be Craving Salt

Salt gets a bad rap because many people are warned against consuming too much of it. However, cutting out sodium entirely isn’t a good option either. This mineral is crucial for bodily functions like regulating blood pressure, preventing muscle pain, maintaining the nervous system, aiding the metabolism, and maintaining hydration. According to Melissa Prest, D.C.N., R.D.N., national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, people need at least 500 mg of sodium per day for these functions to work. But what if you’re frequently craving salt?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people eat 1,500 mg of sodium a day and no more than 2,300 mg. Unfortunately, most Americans eat around 3,400 mg a day. Too much sodium can lead to health consequences like impaired cognition, calcium loss, water retention, hardened blood vessels, and a higher risk for heart disease. However, it can be difficult to cut back on salt when you’re craving it often. This feeling may come from boredom or a snacky mood, but it may also indicate a deeper health issue. [1]

Possible Reasons For Craving Salt

1. Addison’s disease 

Adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) is a disorder that happens when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones. Cortisol and aldosterone play an important role in regulating bodily functions and stress responses. A common symptom of Addison’s disease is salt cravings alongside weight loss, fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, muscle cramps and weakness, low blood pressure, and hyperpigmentation. If you experience these symptoms, speak to your doctor about getting an evaluation. [2]

2. Dehydration 

This might sound counter-intuitive. After all, salty foods make you more thirsty. But sodium is crucial for the body’s hydration. When someone hasn’t consumed enough water, their sodium and electrolyte levels drop and the body will begin craving salt in order to replenish them. This is why many sports drinks contain electrolytes because heavy workouts and sweating can quickly deplete these minerals from the body and cause other symptoms of dehydration like thirst, muscle cramping, rapid heart rate, fatigue, nausea, headaches, dizziness, etc. People who take diuretics are pregnant or experience vomiting or diarrhea are also at risk of dehydration.

3. Bartter syndrome 

People with this genetic disorder are chronically low on sodium because the body excretes it instead of reabsorbing it. This can lead to calcium and potassium deficiency. Bartter syndrome is usually diagnosed in babies or children after they show symptoms like slow weight gain, low blood pressure, kidney stones, frequent urination, constipation, muscle cramps, and weakness. It’s typically managed with salt, magnesium, and potassium supplements.

4. Cystic fibrosis 

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that involves the digestive system and lungs. Without treatment, it can be life-threatening. The body cannot maintain sodium balance, causing the overproduction of mucus that can clog the pancreas and lungs. As a result, people with this condition might start craving salt along with symptoms like kidney stones, low blood pressure, frequent urination, etc. Like Barttner syndrome, it’s typically diagnosed in infancy or children and managed with supplements.

5. Chronic stress 

For many people, stress and comfort foods go hand in hand, and these snacks are typically high in sugar, fat, or salt. However, research has found a strong correlation between chronic stress, food cravings, and weight gain. Stress may make people crave their favorite foods in order to get a boost of the feel-good hormone dopamine. But researchers found a link between stress and increased ghrelin levels, the hormone that stimulates appetite. So, the cravings may have two causes at once, although scientists are trying to learn more about the relationship between the mind and the body. 

6. Certain medications

Salt cravings can be a side effect of certain medications that affect the adrenal glands. If you are on any of these drugs and frequently pine for sodium-rich foods, speak with your doctor immediately. These medications can include:

• tramadol (Ultram)
• rifampin (Aemcolo)
• antifungals like fluconazole (Diflucan)
• protein kinase inhibitors like cabozantinib (Cabometyx), lenvatinib (Lenvima)
• immune checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab (Opdivo), pembrolizumab (Keytruda), ipilimumab (Yervoy)
• suddenly stopping long-term glucocorticoids like hydrocortisone, triamcinolone, fluticasone [3]

7. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) 

Many women are prone to PMS before and during their menstrual cycle. One common symptom is food cravings, including a hankering for salty foods. Indulging in a sodium-filled snack is fine in moderation, but there are different ways to reduce PMS-related symptoms. One includes taking calcium and vitamin B6 supplements. Other women have found success with acupuncture and herbal medicines. Plus, many on birth control pills report improved PMS symptoms, but speak with a doctor before taking oral contraceptives. [4]

How to Reduce Salt Intake

If you are used to consuming a lot of sodium-heavy foods, it’s advisable to get your taste buds used to a less salty diet. It may take some time to adjust, but you can cover up the lessened amount of salt with acidy ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar or choose food with more spices and flavor. Also, opt to eat at home since restaurant meals tend to contain higher amounts of salt. 

When you’re shopping, keep an eye on the sodium count on the nutrition labels. Limit foods like bacon, deli meat, sausages, olives, pickles, and canned soups. Additionally, aim to eat more foods rich in potassium, a nutrient that naturally lowers sodium levels. These include fresh bananas, avocados, mushrooms, potatoes, beans, and lentils.

If there’s no obvious reason for salt cravings like stress, dehydration, boredom, or PMS, or if you are at risk for kidney or adrenal issues, or if you experience additional symptoms of low sodium, speak to a healthcare professional. They can evaluate you to see if these signs indicate a a serious health issue.

Keep Reading: 24 Of The Most Weight Loss Friendly Foods on The Planet