A doctor has warned that craving sugar could be a warning sign of a potentially dangerous health condition. While it’s not unusual to fancy the odd chocolate bar or sweet treat, regularly getting this craving could mean you need to seek medical help.
Doctor Crystal Wyllie, a medical expert at ZAVA Online Doctor, explained: “Cravings are often your body’s way of telling you something.
“While most are psychological or habit-driven, unusual cravings, like a strong desire to eat ice, chalk or even ash, can signal deeper health issues, from iron deficiency to hormonal imbalances.”
Among her list of cravings to be aware of were sugary sweets and carbohydrates. This could mean you are at risk of developing diabetes.
“If you often crave sugary foods like cakes, biscuits or white bread, it could mean your blood sugar levels are unbalanced,” she said. “This might be a sign of insulin resistance or even early type 2 diabetes.
“Because when your blood sugar drops too quickly, it makes you crave sugar as a fast way to boost your energy.” If possible, she recommended fighting these cravings.
Dr Wyllie said: “Giving in to these cravings too often can make it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar over time. This can lead to insulin resistance, where the body’s cells no longer respond properly to the hormone that controls blood sugar.
“If this continues, it can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.” Diabetes is a typically lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.
If left untreated the condition can get progressively worse and can even cause serious long-term health problems, including heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss. Therefore, spotting any of the signs as early as possible is key.
Other symptoms can include:
- Feeling very thirsty
- Urinating more frequently than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling very tired
- Weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
- Itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
- Blurred vision.
If you experience any symptoms you should speak to your GP. Dr Wyllie also warned of some other unsual cravings that could signal health issues.
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These include:
- Ice cubes, soil, chalk, raw rice or uncooked pasta – an iron deficiency
- Salty foods – can mean your body is struggling to maintain the right balance of salt and fluids, as well as dehydration or low blood pressure
- Cheese or dairy – a calcium or vitamin D deficiency
- Citrus fruits – a vitamin C deficiency.
Dr Wyllie added: “If you experience persistent or unusual cravings, especially for non-food items, it’s important to consult a doctor. Identifying patterns in your cravings can help flag potential nutrient deficiencies and underlying conditions during your appointment.”