The Real Reason You Want Sugar: Some people like to eat sweets very much. Whenever they get a chance, they eat sweets and chocolates a lot. Most of the people sometimes feel like eating sweets, which is called sugar craving. If a person is having frequent sugar cravings, it may be a sign of deficiency of some vitamins and minerals in the body. Constant sugar cravings can be a sign of nutritional deficiency, stress, hormonal changes and blood sugar imbalance.
According to health experts, deficiency of some vitamins and minerals prompts the brain to demand immediate energy. The easiest way to get instant energy is sweets. It contains refined sugar, which gives people energy within minutes and makes them feel better. However, too much sweet is harmful for health. Therefore, it is important to understand that craving for sweets is not just a desire to eat, but a message from the body that it needs something.
Deficiency of these vitamins causes sugar cravings
Vitamin B such as B1, B6, B9 and B12 are associated with the body’s energy production. When there is a deficiency of these in the body, the body becomes slow in converting food into energy. In such a condition, your brain starts giving signals for fast energy i.e. eating sweets. This is the reason why people feel like eating sweets more when they are tired, weak or unable to concentrate during work. If you have a desire to eat sweets again and again, it is possible that there is a deficiency of Vitamin B in your body.
Magnesium plays an important role in controlling blood sugar in the body, keeping insulin active and reducing stress. Due to its deficiency, the blood sugar balance starts getting disturbed, due to which the brain demands to eat sweets immediately. It has also been observed that magnesium deficiency and sugar cravings are common in people who are under high stress or have less sleep. When the body is not calm and relaxed, then it gets attracted towards sugar in search of instant energy source.
Chromium is a micronutrient that, along with insulin, keeps blood sugar stable. Its deficiency makes the body feel hungry again and again. Especially its deficiency causes sugar cravings. If a person starts feeling hungry again after some time, feels dizzy or suddenly has a drop in energy, then it can be a sign of chromium deficiency. Adequate amount of chromium provides balanced energy to the body and reduces uncontrolled sugar cravings.
Both Vitamin D and Omega-3 are important for mood, feelings and brain balance. When there is a deficiency of these in the body, irritability, sadness, stress or fatigue may increase in the person. In such a condition, the body looks for a quick fix for happiness and energy, the easiest source of which is sweets. This is the reason why the tendency of emotional eating is more visible in people with Vitamin D deficiency. Omega-3 deficiency can also increase sweet addiction.
How to control sweet cravings
If you also feel like eating sweets again and again, then it is important that you supplement your diet with nutrients. Be sure to include green vegetables, dry fruits, seeds, pulses, eggs, curd and whole grains in your diet. Take sunlight in the morning, so that the level of Vitamin D in the body remains correct. To reduce stress, do yoga, meditation and adequate sleep. If cravings persist, get checked by a doctor. Sugar cravings can be easily controlled with proper nutrition and right habits.
