The craving for salty foods may be due to hormonal changes of various kinds.
Hormonal fluctuations
Gastroenterologist Ekaterina Kashukh noted that the craving for salty foods may arise due to hormonal changes. The causes of such changes can include stress, fatigue, or the presence of certain diseases.
Additionally, she links the preference for salty foods to hormonal rearrangements that occur, for example, during premenstrual syndrome or pregnancy. This may also indicate the presence of certain diseases.
In particular, an increased desire to eat salty foods is one of the symptoms of Addison's disease. In this condition, adrenal function is impaired, leading to a decrease in the levels of hormones that regulate fluid balance. The craving for salt can also be a symptom of Bartter syndrome, in which the normal functioning of the kidneys is disrupted, and salt along with other minerals is excreted from the body abnormally quickly.
Deficiency and problems
The expert named other possible reasons for the heightened desire to eat salty foods — dehydration of cells, urinary tract infections, mineral imbalances, and electrolyte deficiencies.
She also explained the constant craving for sweets:
* imbalances in gastrointestinal function, increased acidity, excess pathogenic microbiota in the intestines, high cortisol levels, lack of fats and proteins, and a deficiency of tryptophan.
Main causes of cravings for fatty foods:
* lack of calcium and magnesium, gastrointestinal problems, poor absorption of fat-soluble elements, stress, and lack of sleep.
