The Hunger for Salt

Book excerpt: Abstract: Various aspects of salt ingestion are discussed in an authoritative reference text (27 chapters) for clinical nutritionists, dietitians, health anthropologists, and other health professionals. Topics include: the relevance of sodium (Na) in body fluids; Na deficiency and salt appetite; hominoid evolution and historical aspects of salt; and specific effects of Na deficiency (physiologic effects; salt taste and response; water depletion; rapid systemic correction of Na deficiency; and endocrine effects of rapid satiation of salt appetite). The discussion of factors which influence salt appetite covers: plasma volume change, hepatic Na receptors, the renin-angiotensin system and experimental hypertension, and salt-appetite during reproduction. Clinical studies are cited and theories on the genesis and satiation of salt appetite are reviewed. Related topics which are discussed include the stimulating effect of steroids on salt appetite; electrical stimulation; the appetite for phosphate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium; and salt intake and high blood pressure. (wz).