system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why does salt make such a big difference in recipes or adding it to food? Adding a little makes such a big difference. Why?

Edit: Thank you everyone for your responses! I’ve learned so much reading through them and I’m happy to have sparked an engaging discussion!
gpt
Salt is its own flavor, but it also acts to enhance other flavors by increasing the “polling rate” of the cells in our tongue which detect flavors. By the same token a lack of salt will make most foods taste bland or one-dimensional. 

Presumably this is an evolved response to encourage animals to seek out and consume salt, given how critical it is for us.