Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Your Cravings Could Be Linked To Nutrient Deficiencies, Explains Metabolic Surgeon

Have you ever had a weird <span>craving</span> that you were not able to justify? These are not just night-time craving that happens because you spend the time studying. These cravings happen at anytime, however, even after you ate the snack, you did not feel better. If so, then there could be an underlying reason for it, including a reason which could adversely impact your health. Dr Arush Sabharwal, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon at SCOD Clinic explains that these cravings often relate more to the body's energy and nutrient consumption that the food item by itself. 

"The irregularity in meals, a poor diet, lack of water, and inadequate amount of proteins and fibers in food can disrupt the metabolic balance in our body and increase hunger peaks. If the <span>nutrition</span> in our diet is not good in terms of variety and consistency, our body might send out hunger signals even if there is an adequate calorie content," says Dr Sabharwal. 

Furthermore, Dr Mustkim Khan, Khan Laparoscopic Surgeon and Proctologist at SCOD Clinic says, "Digestive health is a major factor that plays a role in nutrient assimilation and the interpretation of hunger cues. Deficient digestive activity, even with regular food intake, can result in nutrient assimilation difficulties, and the body responds by creating cravings for food."

<h2>What Does Your Craving Say About Your Health?</h2>

A sudden craving for sweet or creamy chocolate could be related to magnesium. As per Nebraska Medicine, chocolate bar, especially dark chocolates contain magnesium, iron and fiber. If you are anemic, or have low iron, you could be craving a chocolate, because your body is actually telling you to consume iron. While chocolate has a small amount of iron, it is easily accessible. Furthermore, craving chocolate could also indicate a magnesium deficiency, which is related to energy production and mood regulation.

When you are craving something salty, it is not only because you want something savoury, but could be because you are dehydrated.

There are several studies that show people who are on medications waste salts, known as diuretics. This is why people may crave salt. However, only some diuretic medications cause this, the main reason could be dehydration. When you sweat a lot, your body loses both water and sodium, this also leads to you craving something salty. The best thing to do would be to drink water or electrolyte solutions, approved with the World Health Organization (WHO), and your doctor.

All of them sound weird, however a condition called pica, could actually make you crave all this. This happens when your body craves non-food items. Mayo Clinic suggests that craving ice, called pagophagia, is often related to low iron, this could be with or without anemia. Several studies, including a 2010 study by Y Khan, also revealed that pica is an unusual condition where patients develop cravings for non-nutritive substance, usually linked with iron deficiency.

Craving food high in carbohydrates like pasta, or bread could be because you do not sleep well. These food items are a quick source of energy, and when you do not get enough sleep, your body craves for energy, usually the fastest source.

This indicates that you may be lacking iron and zinc. Studies have shown that red meat, while recommended to not be consumed often, could make a healthy diet. Some studies have shown benefits with a small amount of red meat.

<h3>Other Factors Why Your Body Craves</h3>

While one reason your body craves certain food item is related to lack of nutrition, there could be other factors too, including:

<ul><li>Hormonal changes, whether from stress, sleep deprivation, or pregnancy</li><li>Low blood sugar could also be a reason why your body may crave for a quick energy source</li><li>Dehydration: not drinking enough fluids could also intensify feelings of hunger and lead to cravings</li><li>Boredom: When you do not have anything to do, this could further trigger a craving for unhealthy snacks just to have something to do</li></ul>

<h2>What Happens When You Give In to Your Cravings Of Processed Foods?</h2>

As per Dr Khan, sedentary lifestyle combined with irregular eating habit could lead to disturbances in gut function and bowel regularity. "This could interfere with the proper and efficient processing of food consumed. It could impact the appetite as well. Indigestion could lead to a feeling of heaviness, bloating, etc., after eating food," he explains.

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Have you ever had a weird craving that you were not able to justify? These are not just night-time craving that happens because you spend the time studying. These cravings happen at anytime, however, even after you ate the snack, you did not feel better. If so, then there could be an underlying reason for it, including a reason which could adversely impact your health. Dr Arush Sabharwal, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon at SCOD Clinic explains that these cravings often relate more to the body's energy and nutrient consumption that the food item by itself. "The irregularity in meals, a poor diet, lack of water, and inadequate amount of proteins and fibers in food can disrupt the metabolic balance in our body and increase hunger peaks. If the nutrition in our diet is not good in terms of variety and consistency, our body might send out hunger signals even if there is an adequate calorie content," says Dr Sabharwal. Furthermore, Dr Mustkim Khan, Khan Laparoscopic Surgeon and Proctologist at SCOD Clinic says, "Digestive health is a major factor that plays a role in nutrient assimilation and the interpretation of hunger cues. Deficient digestive activity, even with regular food intake, can result in nutrient assimilation difficulties, and the body responds by creating cravings for food."What Does Your Craving Say About Your Health?ChocolateA sudden craving for sweet or creamy chocolate could be related to magnesium. As per Nebraska Medicine, chocolate bar, especially dark chocolates contain magnesium, iron and fiber. If you are anemic, or have low iron, you could be craving a chocolate, because your body is actually telling you to consume iron. While chocolate has a small amount of iron, it is easily accessible. Furthermore, craving chocolate could also indicate a magnesium deficiency, which is related to energy production and mood regulation.SaltWhen you are craving something salty, it is not only because you want something savoury, but could be because you are dehydrated.There are several studies that show people who are on medications waste salts, known as diuretics. This is why people may crave salt. However, only some diuretic medications cause this, the main reason could be dehydration. When you sweat a lot, your body loses both water and sodium, this also leads to you craving something salty. The best thing to do would be to drink water or electrolyte solutions, approved with the World Health Organization (WHO), and your doctor.Clay, Ice, Chalk, PaperAll of them sound weird, however a condition called pica, could actually make you crave all this. This happens when your body craves non-food items. Mayo Clinic suggests that craving ice, called pagophagia, is often related to low iron, this could be with or without anemia. Several studies, including a 2010 study by Y Khan, also revealed that pica is an unusual condition where patients develop cravings for non-nutritive substance, usually linked with iron deficiency.Craving CarbsCraving food high in carbohydrates like pasta, or bread could be because you do not sleep well. These food items are a quick source of energy, and when you do not get enough sleep, your body craves for energy, usually the fastest source.Red MeatThis indicates that you may be lacking iron and zinc. Studies have shown that red meat, while recommended to not be consumed often, could make a healthy diet. Some studies have shown benefits with a small amount of red meat.Other Factors Why Your Body CravesWhile one reason your body craves certain food item is related to lack of nutrition, there could be other factors too, including:Hormonal changes, whether from stress, sleep deprivation, or pregnancyLow blood sugar could also be a reason why your body may crave for a quick energy sourceDehydration: not drinking enough fluids could also intensify feelings of hunger and lead to cravingsBoredom: When you do not have anything to do, this could further trigger a craving for unhealthy snacks just to have something to doWhat Happens When You Give In to Your Cravings Of Processed Foods?As per Dr Khan, sedentary lifestyle combined with irregular eating habit could lead to disturbances in gut function and bowel regularity. "This could interfere with the proper and efficient processing of food consumed. It could impact the appetite as well. Indigestion could lead to a feeling of heaviness, bloating, etc., after eating food," he explains.