Or craving sweets, is it because the body lacks something? (2024)

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There are many types of sweets that you usually think of when you feel a craving. Depending on the type of food, cravings for sweets can be a sign that your body is suffering from a nutritional deficiency.

1. Lack of calcium and magnesium causes cravings for sweets

If you are craving sweets like carbonated soft drinks, you may be lacking in calcium and magnesium, making your body tired and not alert. The main ingredient of soft drinks is caffeine, so it can help you stay awake, but it is also addictive. However, consuming soft drinks does not help you supplement these 2 minerals, on the contrary, it also makes the body more deficient in calcium and magnesium.
In addition to carbonated soft drinks, if you crave a chocolate bar, your body may be deficient in magnesium. Or anxiety, stress, maybe even depression are manifestations of magnesium deficiency.
So, to be more alert and reduce cravings for sweets, you can eat chocolate. There have been studies proving that, if you eat about 100g - 400g of dark chocolate every day, you can improve depression. But it should be noted that it must be dark chocolate, not milk chocolate commonly sold in supermarkets.

2. Lack of chromium makes the body not have enough energy to function

When the body lacks chromium, it will affect the blood sugar balance, making you feel like you don't have enough energy to function. At that time, you will feel craving for sweets.
In the body, chromium and insulin play a role in blood sugar balance, weight control and appetite. Hypoglycemia or dysglycemia caused by chromium deficiency will prompt the body to seek out sweets.
However, to avoid consuming too much sweets that cause weight gain, diabetes, you should not eat candy. Instead, it should be supplemented with foods such as cereals, eggs, seafood such as oysters, fresh and dried fruits such as kohlrabi, cherries, grapes, ...

3. Vitamin B deficiency causes cravings for sweets

Sweet cravings when the mood is tense, moody, sad can also be because your body is seriously lacking in B vitamins. B vitamins including B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid) are vitamins involved in the production of energy.
When the brain does not receive enough energy to function, the mind is under pressure, which will cause the body to look to sweet foods to improve this condition. In addition, you also tend to eat more fat. Therefore, after a period of stress, you tend to gain weight. To avoid this situation, instead of consuming sweets, add foods such as soybeans, peanuts, fish oil and drink more orange juice.
If you often think about sweet foods, crave sweets with symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, stress, lack of alertness, etc., you may be lacking in some important minerals such as calcium. , magnesium, chromium, vitamins of group B. Therefore, it is very necessary to visit a doctor to supplement micronutrients.

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This article is written for readers from Sài Gòn, Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, Hạ Long, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng.

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Or craving sweets, is it because the body lacks something? (2024)

FAQs

Or craving sweets, is it because the body lacks something? ›

If you often think about sweet foods, crave sweets with symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, stress, lack of alertness, etc., you may be lacking in some important minerals such as calcium. , magnesium, chromium, vitamins of group B. Therefore, it is very necessary to visit a doctor to supplement micronutrients.

What is your body lacking if you crave sweets? ›

Food cravings are linked to nutrient deficiencies. If you're constantly craving sweets, get more magnesium, chromium, and tryptophan in your diet. These nutrients are found in whole, natural foods, such as broccoli, dried beans, liver, eggs, poultry, legumes, and grains, or you can get them via supplementation.

When you crave sugar, what does your body actually need? ›

a sugar craving means you are dehydrated and need water. Staying hydrated throughout the day will help prevent excess snacking, especially on sugary treats. To figure out how much water you should drink per day, start with eight, 8-ounce glasses of water.

Why does a person crave sweets? ›

Ghrelin, known as the hunger hormone, stimulates your appetite. And research shows that an increase in ghrelin levels may contribute to your sugar cravings. “Low serotonin levels can also trigger cravings for sugar,” explains Taylor. “So, if you're feeling down or stressed, sugar can be especially appealing.”

Are cravings caused by deficiencies? ›

Cravings are our body's way of communicating its needs. While they can sometimes be for indulgent treats, they can also signal deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals. Understanding the types of cravings and the deficiencies they indicate can help you address nutritional imbalances and maintain overall health.

What supplement stops sugar cravings? ›

Overall, B vitamins are regarded as essential supplements to curb sugar cravings. Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in your metabolism and energy, as well as the digestion of your food. It regulates the production of insulin. A zinc deficiency may result in sugar cravings and an increased appetite.

What is my body telling me when I crave sweets? ›

Cravings can be your body's way of letting you know it's not getting something it needs, such as a specific vitamin or mineral. Having certain cravings, such as for chocolate or other sweets, is also often linked to how you feel emotionally. You don't have to completely deprive yourself of the treats you enjoy.

Which vitamin deficiency causes sugar cravings? ›

Deficiencies in certain minerals such as zinc, chromium, iron, calcium, and magnesium may lead to sugar cravings as well, Elia says. Magnesium deficiency is specifically worth paying attention to.

Do cravings tell you what your body needs? ›

In general, a craving can signal something is out of balance, but it doesn't always mean you need a certain type of food. A craving might mean you're dehydrated, stressed or lacking sleep. If you crave a snack, and you eat it, but you don't feel any better, your body was never needing that food to begin with.

Does low B12 make you crave sugar? ›

Nutritional deficiencies: When there is deficiency of Vitamin B12 / Vitamin D / or any other micro mineral deficiency, we tend to crave to more sweets. 4. Disturbed sleep cycle: One study showed that people who don't get enough sleep are more likely to crave foods such as sweets, salty and starchy.

What imbalance causes sugar cravings? ›

Low blood sugar or low serotonin sends a signal to the brain that it needs a pick-me-up. It is this signal — which you don't consciously control — that causes a craving for sugar or carbohydrates. Sugar or simple carbohydrates help release a burst of serotonin, so you feel good for a little while.

Does B12 deficiency cause sugar cravings? ›

Nutritional deficiencies: When there is deficiency of Vitamin B12 / Vitamin D / or any other micro mineral deficiency, we tend to crave to more sweets. 4. Disturbed sleep cycle: One study showed that people who don't get enough sleep are more likely to crave foods such as sweets, salty and starchy.

Does craving sugar mean diabetes? ›

Additionally, insulin resistance can have you craving carbs and sweets that instantly spike your blood sugar. If you've been experiencing strong food cravings lately — especially for sweets — make an appointment with a diabetes specialist to undergo blood testing.

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