Dehydration may be caused by excessive sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, or insufficient fluid. It can even bring on salt cravings. Significant amounts of sodium are lost from your body along with

the water you expel during urination or sweating, or when you pass loose, watery stools. It is logical that your body would crave salt to compensate for this loss of

sodium and to restore its balance in your system. 

Your body loses salt through sweat, especially after prolonged exercise. So, it should be no surprise that you would crave it post-workout. One study found that subjects actually

added as much as 50% more salt to a bowl of tomato soup after exercising.

Believe it or not, salt has a mild effect on the pleasure centers in the brain. According to a study cited on CureJoy.com, "Researchers have said that there is

neuropsychiatric evidence of salty foods having an effect similar to a mild opiate. Dubbed a “Salted Food Addiction", this addiction to salt stimulates dopamine and opiate receptors in your brain’s pleasure

and reward center. This makes you find salty food more tasty, bringing on an urge or craving for them when you experience opiate withdrawal."

According to the Mayo Clinic, "Addison's disease is a disorder that occurs when your body produces insufficient amounts of certain hormones produced by your adrenal glands. In Addison's

disease, your adrenal glands produce too little cortisol and often insufficient levels of aldosterone as well." 

Aldosterone is responsible for regulating salt and water levels. This disease causes a loss of salts

which manifests symptoms like extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, low blood pressure, muscle spasms, muscle weakness, nausea, light-headedness, gastrointestinal distress like diarrhea, vomiting, or changes in mood and overall disposition.

To maintain equilibrium in the body, there must be adequate amounts of salts and minerals. When you are deficient in calcium, iron, or potassium, you might start craving salt. Before

you decide to start taking supplements, consult your physician for a nutrition panel to check your levels.