Most people think cravings are about willpower. But what if they’re really about missing minerals? I’ll link my favorite minerals as well, at the bottom…
In this newsletter, I’ll walk you through why saliva is more than just spit, why electrolytes are the unsung heroes of oral health, and how protein and minerals can help quiet cravings by giving your body exactly what it’s missing.
Every once in a while, I go on a diet. I definitely don’t do anything extreme. But I do start paying closer attention—to how I feel, how I sleep, and whether my favorite jeans are still comfortable after dinner.
And when I do that, I always come back to two things:
protein and minerals.
Simple, right?
But these two things do more than just support weight loss. They help me sleep better. Think more clearly. And most of all, they keep my saliva healthy.
Yes—saliva.
I didn’t always think this way. Like most dentists, I was trained to think of saliva as a background character. A passive fluid that helped rinse your mouth and maybe neutralize acids.
But over the years, I’ve come to see it as one of the most underrated tools we have for oral health—and for whole-body health, too.
Your teeth are breaking down right now. Saliva is how they repair.
After every meal, your teeth demineralize. That includes “healthy” meals—especially if they include carbs like bread, crackers, or even a few spoonfuls of rice.
Acid-producing bacteria break those foods down in your mouth and immediately start releasing acid. That acid leaches minerals out of your enamel. You don’t feel it. But it’s happening every day.
The only way your teeth recover from that attack is through remineralization.
And remineralization depends on your saliva.
Saliva contains the same minerals your teeth are made of—calcium, phosphate, magnesium, and more.
Why? Because it’s made from blood plasma. It’s filtered from your bloodstream, and that’s why I often say: saliva is basically blood—just without the red blood cells.
The minerals in your saliva float in solution, ready to jump into action. That ability is called ionic strength. When your saliva has the right balance of ions, it can release minerals like hydroxyapatite—the very substance your enamel is made of—right where the tooth needs it. Like a patch job after an acid attack.
That’s why balance matters. Too thick? The minerals can’t move. Too thin? They’re too diluted to work. Your saliva only works if the mineral content is right.
And that depends on your electrolyte levels.
Electrolytes aren’t just for athletes
Most people think of electrolytes as something you add after a workout or when you’re sick. And yes, they’re great for rehydrating.
But the truth is, electrolytes—sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate—are essential for everyone. They’re how your nerves fire. How your muscles contract. And in the case of saliva, how minerals stay in balance so your teeth can actually remineralize.
You don’t need to be running marathons. You might be chasing kids, working long shifts, drinking too much coffee, or just waking up mildly dehydrated. And all of that affects your saliva.
If you’re low on electrolytes—or just a little dehydrated—your saliva changes. It gets sticky. Or watery. Either way, it loses its ionic integrity. And when that happens, your mouth can’t do what it’s built to do.
My three must-haves in the morning when I want to lose a few pounds:
I’ve refined my routine over the years, and these days, it’s simple:
- I start with a protein smoothie—around 60g of protein, half collagen and half grass-fed whey. I blend it with wild blueberries, almond butter, and sea salt.
- I pair it with a full serving of electrolytes. There are a lot of solid formulas out there, but I’ve recently switched to this one (commissionable link). It’s clean, tastes great, and contains a well-rounded mineral profile that supports saliva: potassium, sodium from Himalayan salt, calcium, citrate, and spirulina which gives it a startling blue color. It’s sweetened with monkfruit which, as you know, is my absolute favorite sweetener—that’s why it’s one of the ingredients in our Fygg toothpaste. We even measured the pH of these electrolytes—no acidity concerns here.
- And I drink Pellegrino throughout the day (no affiliation aside from my Italian heritage). I’ve been drinking it for years because it’s mineral-rich, alkalizing, and it actually makes me feel better.
For years, I recommended trace mineral drops. And they’re still helpful for muscle cramps or general wellness. But when it comes to saliva? You need more. You need the full suite—sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphate—in the right ratios. And it has to taste good and have a neutral pH, or people won’t stick with it.
If I get those two things—protein and minerals—early in the day, everything else seems to fall into place.
Less snacking.
Fewer cravings.
More energy.
And stronger saliva.
What if your cravings aren’t about sugar at all?
This is just a theory of mine, but one I keep coming back to.
Sometimes, when you feel the urge to reach for a snack—especially processed carbs—it’s not that your body wants sugar.
It might be asking for minerals.
I’ve noticed that when I’m consistent with electrolytes and mineral-rich water, I don’t crave junk. Not even after a long day or a stressful morning. It’s like my body isn’t looking to fill a gap anymore. Because the gap is already filled.
I’ve also noticed that when I’m eating enough protein, my cravings drop. Protein helps regulate ghrelin and GLP-1—two hormones that tell your brain when you’re full, or not. Pair that with minerals, and your body finally stops asking for something it’s missing.
And the truth is, our diets are more mineral-deficient than most people realize. Even if you eat well, our soil isn’t what it used to be. The minerals just aren’t there. Our ancestors used to swallow and inhale them just by playing outside, drinking from springs, eating real food. That world’s gone.
This one needs a little help.
If you’re looking for a place to start—whether it’s to lose a few pounds, feel better in your body, or support your teeth long-term—I’d keep it simple:
- Prioritize protein. Especially early in the day.
- Replenish your minerals. (These are my favorite) Every single day.
- Hydrate in a way that actually makes a difference. That means mineral-rich water and a clean electrolyte powder that supports your saliva—not undermines it.
Your saliva isn’t just spit.
It’s your mouth’s first line of defense.
And one of your most powerful tools for healing.
Give it what it needs—and your whole body benefits.
Until next time,
Mark
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P.S. I coined this term “ionic integrity of saliva” during a podcast episode from 2023 where I went deep on this exact topic—how electrolytes affect your saliva, what that means for your teeth, hunger, brain, and performance, and why it all starts with minerals. If you want to nerd out with me for 30 minutes, give it a listen here. I’d love to hear what you think.