![]() Those who believe that nutrient deficiencies cause cravings often propose that chocolate cravings result from a magnesium deficiency, while savory foods are often linked to insufficient intakes of sodium or protein. Women are also more likely to crave sweet foods, such as chocolate, whereas men are more likely to crave savory foods ( 11, 12, 13). Cravings Are Gender SpecificĪccording to research, a person’s cravings and their frequency are partly influenced by gender.įor example, women seem to be up to twice as likely to experience food cravings as men ( 9, 10, 11). The following arguments are the most compelling. ![]() However, when looking at the evidence, several arguments can be made against this “nutrient deficiency” theory. However, this is not always the case, and more research is needed before strong conclusions can be made.Ĭravings have been anecdotally linked to nutrient deficiencies for quite some time. ![]() Summary:Ĭravings for salty foods and non-nutritive substances like ice and clay may be caused by nutrient deficiencies. This can create salt cravings in cases where extra sodium intake is unnecessary and even harmful to your health ( 7, 8). There’s also evidence that regularly consuming high-sodium foods can lead you to develop a preference for salty foods. So simply craving salty foods may not necessarily mean that you’re sodium deficient. In fact, excess sodium intakes are more common than insufficient intakes, especially in developed parts of the world. However, it’s important to keep in mind that sodium deficiencies are quite rare. Thus, in some cases, salt cravings can be caused by sodium deficiencies or low blood sodium levels. Similarly, people whose blood sodium levels have been purposefully lowered, either through diuretics (water pills) or exercise, also generally report an increased preference for salty foods or drinks ( 7, 8, 9). In fact, individuals deficient in sodium often report strong cravings for salty foods. Sodium plays a critical role in maintaining the body’s fluid balance and is necessary for survival.įor this reason, cravings for high-sodium, salty foods are often thought to mean that the body requires more sodium. Thus, researchers cannot definitively say that nutrient deficiencies cause pica-related cravings ( 6). That said, studies also report cases of pica not linked to nutrient deficiencies, as well as others in which supplementation did not stop the pica behavior. What’s more, supplementing with the lacking nutrients seems to stop the pica behavior in some instances ( 3, 4, 5, 6). Studies observe that individuals with symptoms of pica often have low iron, zinc or calcium levels. However, nutrient deficiencies are thought to play a role ( 1, 2). Pica is most common in pregnant women and children, and its exact cause is currently unknown. One particular example is pica, a condition in which a person craves non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt, soil, laundry or cornstarch, among others. In some cases, cravings may reflect an insufficient intake of certain nutrients.
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