“It’s 7am and I’m taking bites from a bar of smooth dark chocolate with Himalayan salt – solely in the name of research, of course. This combination of sweet and salty is addictive and leaves me craving more. Scientifically, there is a convincing argument that says biological determinism is responsible for our cravings rather than just some greedy chocoholic’s desire. Therefore, he says, taking another bite of salted chocolate from the bar on his desk, it is evolution that I must thank and blame for my cravings, not my own weak will” James Strawbridge, author

HOW DOES IT WORK?

When you eat food that is sweet and salty, two cravings are simultaneously satisfied. Recent research has shown that some sweet taste cells in our taste buds, the tiny sugar receptors on our tongue called SGLT1, only transport the message of sugars to the brain when sodium is present. Sweetness is accentuated when tasted with a little salt. Sugar is an energy source and salt is crucial to survival. We are pre-programmed to crave both sweet and salty flavours by the primal instincts that are still buried within our bodies.

We were designed to recognise sugar as an easy energy source with high calories and take it when we can find it; sugar-rich fruits would have been a lifeline for hungry huntergatherers when other food was scarce. Not only does sugar help us survive, it also releases dopamine when detected on the tongue, a complicated neurotransmitter that literally conveys happiness to the brain and makes us crave more. Furthermore, an underlying desire for variety would have been crucial for survival for our ancestors and perhaps this is why the combination of salt and sugar is so enthralling – it keeps us seeking a diverse mix of foods.