What happened (science answer in reader Q&A)

A science Q&A explains why plant-based foods are usually not naturally salty, while animal foods are more savoury. The answer attributes the taste difference to ion chemistry and biology rather than to “flavour choices.”

Key claims in the Q&A are:

Why animal foods taste more savoury

Animals require sodium ions (Na+) for multiple body functions. The Q&A links sodium to:

Why most plants are rarely naturally salty