Why do you crave chocolate? Experts share a possible health reason

Chocolate Cravings: Have you been experiencing constant chocolate cravings lately? Do you find yourself wandering around your kitchen looking for chocolate at odd hours? Does it make you crave chocolate? Trust us, it’s more than just your love of chocolate. In fact, according to health experts, it could be a lack of certain nutrients in your body that leads to such constant chocolate cravings. Rebecca Pinto, a nutritionist in Mumbai, explains that each food you’ve been craving is linked to a specific nutrient, and your cravings indicate a specific deficiency you’re experiencing. In the case of chocolate cravings, it could be a magnesium deficiency. Does it sound surprising? Let’s dig deeper into this.

Chocolate cravings and magnesium: what is the connection between the two?

Chocolate is a combination of cocoa powder, cocoa butter and sweetener, and the ratio of each ingredient is different based on your preference. There are dark chocolates, milk chocolates, extra dark chocolates, etc. While many crave chocolate due to stress, hormonal imbalances, or satisfying sweet cravings, health experts believe that magnesium deficiency could be the cause for some of them.
According to research published in the Journal of Nutrition by the American Nutrition Association, cocoa (used in chocolate) contains high amounts of magnesium, leading researchers to question whether magnesium deficiency could explain people’s chocolate cravings. Nutritionist Namami Agarwal adds, “Since magnesium can help reduce muscle cramps, many people, especially menstruating women, tend to consume chocolate to relieve all kinds of pain.”

Is chocolate a good option to prevent magnesium deficiency?

A study published in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition confirms that dark chocolates containing 90% cocoa are excellent sources of magnesium. In fact, 100 grams of dark chocolate contains 252.2 milligrams of magnesium. However, consuming 90% dark chocolate can be challenging, and as a result, many choose commercial chocolates with added sweeteners. Therefore, nutritionist Rebecca Pinto suggests including magnesium-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts in your daily diet to compensate for the deficiency. Click here for some of the best food sources of magnesium.
Also read: Is chocolate good for you? 4 tips for the right choice

Magnesium dosage: how much should you take per day?

The recommended daily amount of magnesium varies from person to person depending on their age, gender and health status. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults 19-51+ years of age is 420-400 mg per day for men and 310-320 mg for women. However, during pregnancy, women need about 350-360 mg of magnesium daily, while nursing mothers need 310-320 mg. It is better to consult a specialist and know the right dosage for your body type.
Remember to eat healthy and keep fit!