Why do you crave salty foods? This may be a signal of serious illness. Consultation with a gastroenterologist

The most famous sign states that a craving for salty foods is a sure sign of pregnancy. And although it is not without meaning, everything is not so simple: a sudden love for salty food can appear for various reasons.

Gastroenterologist, expert of the Hemotest laboratory Ekaterina Kashukh explained to Pravda.Ru what the body is trying to communicate with an unbearable desire to eat something salty.

Why does the body need salt?

First of all, it is important to understand that salt is essential for the body. It helps retain fluid and maintain a healthy electrolyte balance –

• sodium,
• potassium,
• calcium.

These substances participate in metabolic processes, help the body absorb vitamins and minerals, and most importantly, regulate the contraction of the heart muscle. One of the most common reasons for craving salty foods is dehydration. This is the name of the condition when there is not enough water in the body. Along with the fluid, a person also loses valuable minerals, the level of electrolytes drops, the doctor notes.

Against this background, the following may appear:

• weakness,
• headache,
• cardiopalmus,
• sudden mood swings,
• and in severe cases even convulsions.

Causes of cravings for salty foods

Perhaps, with a craving for salty foods, the body is trying to restore the balance of electrolytes. Dehydration may develop against the background of high fever and poisoning.

Addiction to salty foods is associated with hormonal changesfor example, during premenstrual syndrome or pregnancy.

Another common reason for salty cravings is lack of sleep, fatigue and stress.

“When a person sleeps little or restlessly, is faced with excessive workload or experiences strong emotions, the level of cortisol, a hormone that is responsible for the body’s response to stress, increases in the blood. High levels of this hormone provoke a feeling of hunger. Some eat stress with desserts, but others “I’m craving salty foods. Favorite food is the easiest way for the brain to get pleasure. And if you can’t cope with stress otherwise, it can be difficult to control the amount you eat,” says the specialist.

Diseases that provoke cravings for salty foods

In addition, a sudden strong craving for salty foods may indicate certain diseases.

“Addiction to salty foods is common among people with Addison’s disease. This rare disease is associated with dysfunction of the adrenal glands. They do not produce enough hormones that regulate fluid balance in the body. Patients with this disease have poor appetite, lose weight rapidly, and may develop painful ulcers in the mouth.”

Another disease associated with an unhealthy love of salty food is Bartter’s syndrome. This is a disorder of the kidneys, in which salt and other important minerals are not retained in the body, but are almost completely excreted in the urine. The syndrome is characterized by low blood pressure, muscle spasms, frequent urge to go to the toilet and urolithiasis, explains Ekaterina Kashukh.

The rule of measure applies to salt.

For salt, as for any other product, the rule of measure applies.

“Excess salt affects the functioning of blood vessels, heart, kidneys and brain. Those who eat salty foods often have high blood pressure and develop hypertension. A salt-free diet is one of the main recommendations in the treatment of this disease. In many dishes, salt can be replaced with seasonings and spices, “And instead of salt, add a little lemon juice to the salad if there are no stomach problems. The sourness will add piquancy to the dishes and emphasize their taste,” the doctor recommends.