Many sugar cravings stem from a blood sugar imbalance. When your body ingests sugar, your blood sugar spikes and your body releases insulin to lower it to a safer level. If the insulin brings your blood sugar level a bit too low, as often happens, your body craves foods that will raise it and increase your energy.
Nutrient Deficiencies
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.
Our bodies use glucose as a primary fuel source, so our brains have evolved to like sweet foods. Consuming sugar activates the mesolimbic dopamine system, which is the brain's reward system. Dopamine, the feel-good chemical messenger, is then released and reinforces our desire for sugar.
— There's a good chance you or someone you know frequently craves sugar. While some of that is normal, if you're always wanting something sweet, it could signal hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. Having the condition can cause weight gain, which many of us have dealt with throughout the pandemic.
A 2016 study suggests that changes in levels of hormones estrogen and progesterone cause cravings for high-carb and sweet foods before your period.
B vitamins are effective in curbing sugar cravings because they provide a boost to the adrenal system. When the adrenal system is not functioning well, cravings for sugar increase. Take a daily zinc supplement. Zinc can reduce sugar cravings.
The drop in estrogen and progesterone causes deficiency of the hormones in the body and this causes increased craving for sugar.
“The initial 48 to 72 hours are tough," Gerbstadt says. Some people find that going cold turkey helps curb their cravings after a few days. Others find they may still crave sugar but over time are able to train their taste buds to be satisfied with less.
Supplements of magnesium can reduce sugar craving and help stabilise blood sugar levels[1]. If you have Type 2 diabetes or Pre-diabetes you are more likely to have low magnesium levels[2, 3].
Under acute stress the brain requires some 12 percent more energy, leading many to reach for sugary snacks. Carbohydrates provide the body with the quickest source of energy. In fact, in cognitive tests subjects who were stressed performed poorly prior to eating.
Mineral deficiencies might be another reason for your sweet tooth. An iron deficiency will leave you with very low energy and may be a reason for your sugar cravings because the body will crave quick energy to boost itself up. Iron supplements may help fight fatigue and other symptoms of iron deficiency.
Low estrogen levels in women can cause symptoms including irregular periods, hot flashes, painful sex, headaches, mood swings, and more. The most common cause of low estrogen is menopause. But too much exercise, disordered eating, or complications with your ovaries could also lead to lower levels.
A Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study involving postmenopausal, overweight, and obese women who took 2,000 IUs of vitamin D daily for a year found that those whose vitamin D blood levels increased the most had the greatest reductions in blood estrogens, which are a known risk factor for breast cancer.
Blood tests – At-home estrogen blood tests are quick and easy. You just need to prick your finger and collect a small blood sample in a vial. After that, you can send your sample to a lab for testing. Urine tests – Estrogen tests that use urine take a little longer to administer.
Dehydration is the most common cause of sugar cravings. When your body is dehydrated, you will likely experience a strong urge to eat something sweet, but all your body needs is water. Dehydration makes it difficult for your body to metabolize glycogen for energy.
Can You Beat Sugar Cravings With a Pill? Technically, yes. Research indicates that pills made of Gymnema sylvestre can reduce the sweetness and flavor of foods. Pills meant to curb sugar cravings can be a helpful tool for people with diabetes as well as for people who want to lose weight.
For instance, chocolate cravings are often blamed on low magnesium levels, whereas cravings for meat or cheese are often seen as a sign of low iron or calcium levels.
You Have Some Serious Chocolate Cravings
If you feel like your body is in desperate need of chocolate more than just on occasion or the week before your period, this could be a sign to up your magnesium intake. Dark chocolate is high in magnesium—just 1 ounce packs in 10% of your daily needs.
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency
Weakness and fatigue. Tremors or muscle twitching. Muscle cramping. Heart palpitations or heart arrhythmias.
Max out your magnesium
Many doctors believe sugar cravings could actually be a magnesium deficiency, especially if the person craves chocolate. Men should get between 400-420mg per day, with women up to 320mg of magnesium.