Have you ever found yourself standing in front of the pantry, eating salt straight out of the container? If so, you're not alone. Most of us have had a salt craving at some point or another. But why do we crave salt? Is it because our bodies need it?
The truth is, our bodies do need salt. Salt is an essential nutrient that helps regulate fluid balance in our cells and provides the electrolytes our nerves and muscles need to function properly.
However, the average American diet contains way more sodium than we actually need. The recommended daily intake for sodium is 2,300 milligrams, but the average American consumes about 3,400 milligrams per day. That's because salt is added to a lot of processed foods, even ones that don't taste particularly salty.
So if we're getting more than enough salt in our diets, why do we still crave it? The answer may have more to do with psychology than physiology.
Studies have shown that certain cues — like seeing, smelling, or even thinking about food — can trigger cravings. And since salt is often added to foods we enjoy eating, it's not surprising that we might start Craving salty foods even when we're not actually hungry.
If you find yourself reaching for the salt shaker more often than you'd like, you're not alone. Most of us have had a salt craving at one time or another. But why do we crave salt? Is it because our bodies need it?
The answer is a little bit of both. Our bodies do need salt to function properly. However, most of us are getting more than enough sodium in our diets from processed foods. So if we're already getting plenty of salt, why do we still crave it?
The answer may have more to do with psychology than physiology. Studies have shown that certain cues can trigger cravings for specific foods. Since salt is often added to foods we enjoy eating, it's not surprising that we might start craving salty foods even when we're not actually hungry.
Want to know what is the best salt substitute? Check out our guide here!
