Salty taste receptors detect electrolytes, which are vital for nervous system and body function.

“The salty receptors, these neurons are trying to sense whether or not there are electrolytes in a given food or drink. Electrolytes are vitally important for the function of our nervous system, and for our entire body, sodium is what allows neurons to fire. What allows them to be electrically active. We also need potassium and magnesium, those are the ions that allow the neurons to be active. So the salty receptors, the reason that they are there is to make sure that we are getting enough, but not too much salt, we don't want to ingest things that are far too salty.”