This Is Why You Crave Salt When You're Dehydrated
Lifestyle - News
By DANIELLE RAMOS-SULLIVAN
Sodium gets a bad rap, but without salt, we would die. It's not uncommon to crave salt, as dietitian Crystal Savoy explains, "A food craving is a sign from the body that you're missing something." This is why you might crave salt when you're dehydrated, which seems like a contradiction at first, but a closer look explains it all.
Craving salty food is a protection mechanism; it’s your body telling you what it needs. When confume eat salt, you naturally want liquid because the salt makes you thirsty, as dietitian Amanda A. Kostro explains: "Salt and salty foods stimulate thirst, so if you're craving something salty, your body may actually be begging for some water."
It's easier to become dehydrated than it is to spot dehydration, and signs include headaches, dizziness, fast heart rate, and muscle cramps. In hot weather, you need to drink more water more frequently, and don't forget to replenish lost electrolytes after exercise; sodium is one of these electrolytes, which is why many sports drinks are a bit salty.