These Food Cravings Could Indicate Health Problems
We’ve all experienced a sudden food craving
- that moment when all you need is a slice of pizza (or a burger or
chocolate), and nothing else will do. Food cravings are very common, but
why do we experience them and what do they mean? Unfortunately, we
usually don’t crave things like kale or apples, but rather foods that
are rich in fats, carbs, and sugar.
More often than not, the source of the
craving is an emotional rather than a nutritional one - ‘comfort foods’
like sweets or baked goods release feel-good chemicals in the brain.
However, some studies show that certain cravings and eating habits could
point to health problems. Here are 5 intriguing examples.
1. Craving the same food all the time
Could be: Dementia
Uncharacteristic changes in one’s eating habits could be an early sign
of dementia. If you notice sudden cravings for specific foods or have an
overly persistent sweet tooth, it might be worth discussing this with
your doctor. A study published in 2015 examined the changes in the
eating habits of dementia patients and found that almost half of all
mild Alzheimer’s disease patients had shown some changes in their food
preferences.
The shift in food preferences was reported
at its highest during the moderate stage of the disease. In addition to
preferring different foods than usual, Alzheimer's patients also showed a
special inclination towards sweet foods and candy, as well as adding
strong flavors to their dishes using soy sauce.
The change wasn’t only expressed through what the patients wanted to
eat, but also in how hungry they were. A shift in appetite may also be
an early sign of dementia. The researchers commented that “it was
interesting that two conflicting eating symptoms, 'increase in appetite'
and 'loss of appetite,' were observed in approximately the same number
of patients with mild Alzheimer's disease."
The appetite loss could result from depression, as almost 70 percent of
people with Alzheimer's showed some depressive symptoms, too. As for the
increased appetite, it might reflect repetitive behavior brought about
by severe memory impairment.
2. Salt
Could be: Addison’s disease
It’s very rare for a person not to get enough salt from their diet, at
least in the US. In fact, most Americans eat more sodium per day than is
recommended. Research suggests that intense salt cravings could point
to Addison's disease.
Also known as primary adrenal
insufficiency, Addison’s disease is a disorder of the adrenal glands,
which sit on top of the kidneys. They produce two essential hormones:
cortisol, which helps the body respond to stress, and aldosterone, which
keeps blood pressure balanced.
When the adrenal glands are damaged as a result of Addison’s disease,
they do not produce enough hormones. Other symptoms include fatigue,
muscle pain, nausea, and weight loss. Left untreated, this condition
could make your blood pressure drop dangerously low. If you experience a
new and persistent craving for salty foods, discuss it with your
physician, especially if it occurs along with any of the other symptoms
mentioned above.
3. Excessive thirst
Could be: Diabetes
Drinking a lot of water throughout the day is healthy and encouraged.
However, constant craving for water is one of the early signs of
diabetes. This is a far more pronounced thirst than usual, and it is
usually coupled with frequent urination.
When you have diabetes, excess glucose builds up in your blood, which
means that the kidneys have to work extra hard to filter and absorb the
sugar. When your kidneys can no longer keep up, the extra glucose is
extracted into your urine, dragging along fluids from your tissues and
leaving you dehydrated. The catch is that the more you drink to quench
your thirst, the more frequently you will have to urinate.
4. Chocolate
Could be: Magnesium or Vitamin B deficiency
Chocolate cravings are not unusual - after all, it’s many people’s
favorite sweet treat. However, if your sweet tooth is taking over, it
could indicate that you’re short on magnesium, a mineral responsible for
many bodily functions - from muscle and nerve function to blood sugar
regulation to energy production.
Magnesium deficiency can be detected through a blood test. Chocolate
isn’t the only good source of magnesium, of course. Leafy greens,
legumes, nuts, and fish are all rich in the mineral. The reason we don’t
typically crave those foods is that, unlike chocolate, they lack sugar
and caffeine.
Another possible explanation for your
chocolate craving is the lack of B vitamins, which play a large role in
cellular processes in our body. B vitamins help the body convert food
into energy, create new blood cells, and maintain healthy skin cells and
other tissues. When you eat chocolate, it gives your brain and mood the
boost they need. Sugar and caffeine urge the secretion of dopamine in
the brain, and your glucose levels rise too, which makes you feel like
you have more energy.
To treat a B vitamin deficiency, your doctor will likely recommend that
you take supplements or increase your intake of certain foods, depending
on the specific vitamin needed.
5. Fries
Could be: Omega-3 fat deficiency
Fries and potato chips are two of the most commonly reported food
cravings. Hankering for such fatty foods might mean that your body is
low on Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve
cardiovascular health. Our body cannot produce Omega-3 fats on its own,
it can't only be obtained through our diet.
There are plenty of other telltale signs for Omega-3 deficiency: fatigue
and trouble sleeping, difficulty in concentration, joint, and leg
cramps, and cardiovascular concerns. Of course, there are much healthier
sources of fat than fries, like salmon, nuts, avocado, and olive oil.