Do athletes crave more salt after sweating a lot?
Exertional sodium loss does not increase immediate salt appetite or dietary sodium intake in athletes.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Athletes do not increase salt preference immediately after significant sodium loss from sweating.
Common belief holds that the body ‘craves’ what it loses—like salt after sweating—but this study found no evidence of an immediate appetite response, contradicting intuitive physiology and popular sports nutrition messaging.
Practical Takeaways
Don’t assume you need extra salt after intense workouts just because you sweated a lot—your body may not actually crave it or require immediate replacement.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Athletes do not increase salt preference immediately after significant sodium loss from sweating.
Common belief holds that the body ‘craves’ what it loses—like salt after sweating—but this study found no evidence of an immediate appetite response, contradicting intuitive physiology and popular sports nutrition messaging.
Practical Takeaways
Don’t assume you need extra salt after intense workouts just because you sweated a lot—your body may not actually crave it or require immediate replacement.
Publication
Journal
Appetite
Year
2021
Authors
Zev Manevitz, M. Leshem, Y. Heled, Y. Epstein, Barak Gershon, E. Kodesh
Related Content
Claims (4)
When athletes sweat a lot during tough workouts in the heat, they can lose a surprising amount of salt—up to more than a teaspoon of salt every hour.
Athletes tend to eat a narrower range of foods, use less salt and flavoring, and follow more food rules than inactive men—even though they get the same nutrients. This might be because they stick to clean or healthy eating plans that cut out tasty but 'unhealthy' foods.
Even after sweating a lot during workouts in different temperatures, trained athletes don't suddenly start craving saltier foods or become more sensitive to salt taste — their bodies don't seem to react right away to low sodium levels.
Athletes don't eat more salt or like salty food more than people who don't exercise, even though they lose salt through sweat during workouts.