What Causes Sugar Cravings?

Commonly referred to as having a “sweet teeth,” sugar cravings are a normal occurrence

experienced by many and can most likely be blamed on the types of foods being made within the

food industry. On the average, American’s eats around 22-teaspoons of sugar per day, per person

and much of this excessive in-take of sugar comes from refined sugars – high fructose corn sugar

(a fructose/glucose alternative liquid sweetener to sucrose) used by most all large beverage,

cereal, dairy and fast food companies (Coca-Cola, Pepsi, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Yoplait,

Nestle, Nabisco, McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s and many more).

While our cravings for sugar can be linked to refined sugars and the high amounts added to the

foods and drinks we buy, there is also another, less common and rarely spoke of factor that may

be the underlying issue. This would be what we know as Candida. Candida is a yeast-like fungus

that feds on, you guessed it, refined sugars, artificial sweeteners and preservatives (all products

commonly used by large companies within the food industry).

In our stomachs, contained are both “good” and “bad” bacteria’s. The key is to maintain a

balance in which the “good” bacteria outweighs the “bad.” In order to achieve this balance in

“good” and “bad” bacteria’s within the stomach, ensuring an 80% good – 20% bad ratio, there

are two steps in which to take into consideration. These two steps are as follows;

Step 1). Change the way you eat – This will require avoiding all processed foods,

artificial sweeteners, refined sugars, preservatives and fast foods. Instead opt for fresh fruits,

vegetables, cheeses, seafood, whole grains and nuts.

Step 2). Add yogurt to your diet – Since yogurt is a probiotic (live bacteria and yeasts)

containing Lactobacillus Bulgaricus and Streptococcus Thermophilus, adding it to your diet

helps to ensure that the “good” bacteria outweighs the “bad.”

Other underlying factors that may be a causes for sugar cravings include:

Stress – increases cortisol levels which decreases appetite. Once the stress has resided

and hunger sets in, the body begins to crave sugar in order to refuel and provide energy.

Food sensitivities – as a result of combined antibodies and antigens in the bloodstream

(known as immune complexes), sugar cravings are likely to result. Gluten is oftentimes found to

be the culprit in women.

Acid-forming foods – create a pro-inflammatory molecule called arachidonic acid which

tends to upregulate the oxidative–inflammatory cascade in our bodies; this can cause

inflammatory conditions and abnormal glucose metabolism.

Insulin resistance – glucose is not able to enter the cells of the body and end up in the

bloodstream as a result. This results in the cells of the body starving for the fuel needed to

function, sending signals to the brain requesting an increase in insulin production and resulting in

sugar cravings.

Hormone inconsistencies – when estrogen is low and progesterone is on its way down

(just before a menstrual cycle), beta-endorphin levels are at their lowest and as a result sugar

cravings occur.