Doctor named the causes of constant cravings for sweets

There is a common belief that an irresistible craving for sweets may indicate the development of diabetes. However, as Lyubov Stankevich, a candidate of medical sciences, told "Izvestia," this claim has no scientific confirmation. The expert revealed the true relationship between food preferences and metabolism, explained the potential risks of excessive sugar consumption, and described in which cases it is actually worth checking glucose levels.

"It's important to understand that diabetes is a disorder of glucose metabolism, not a consequence of loving sweets. The desire to eat something sweet can arise for many reasons - from insufficient caloric intake to ordinary fatigue. When the body experiences an energy deficit, it signals the need for fast carbohydrates, but this is far from always indicating problems with the endocrine system," the specialist explained.

According to Stankevich, the craving for sweets is often formed under the influence of established eating habits and dietary patterns. If a person regularly skips meals or abuses simple carbohydrates, this provokes sharp fluctuations in blood sugar - first a rise, then a rapid fall. As a result, a new impulse to consume sweets emerges. Gradually, the body becomes accustomed to getting energy primarily from sugar rather than from complex carbohydrates or fats, which contributes to the formation of a persistent dependency.

"The body requires different amounts of energy to process various nutrients. Significantly more resources are spent on the absorption of proteins and fats than on the breakdown of carbohydrates, and sugar is processed with minimal expenditure. It is instantly absorbed, quickly enters the bloodstream, and provides an energy surge. However, the effect is short-lived - soon the sugar level decreases, causing a new feeling of hunger. This mechanism underlies sugar addiction, which can be compared to addiction to caffeine or nicotine," noted Stankevich.

Insufficient sleep, chronic stress, magnesium and chromium deficiencies can intensify cravings for sweets. With a lack of magnesium, nerve conduction is disrupted and fatigue appears, while chromium plays an important role in regulating glucose levels. A deficiency of these microelements causes the body to seek quick sources of energy in the form of sugar, the expert explained.

The doctor emphasized that changing eating habits requires time and patience. She recommends gradually reducing the amount of sugar in beverages and dishes, replacing it with a small amount of honey or completely excluding it from the diet. It is equally important to maintain a regular eating schedule: regular and balanced meals will help reduce the need for fast carbohydrates. The optimal solution is to enrich the diet with complex carbohydrates (whole grains, legumes) and proteins, which are digested longer and provide a stable energy level.

At the same time, the expert warned that the systematic consumption of large amounts of sweets can become a risk factor for developing diabetes.

"Excessive sugar consumption creates an excessive load on the pancreas, forcing it to produce increased amounts of insulin. Over time, this can lead to depletion of the gland, and tissues gradually lose sensitivity to insulin - this is how type 2 diabetes develops. This disease develops over many years, and its initial stages are often asymptomatic, so it is extremely important to control your diet and glucose levels in advance," warned Stankevich.

The most informative way to assess risks is a glycated hemoglobin test. A value below 5.7% indicates the absence of problems, while a value above 6.4% indicates diabetes requiring medical intervention. It is especially important to undergo this examination regularly if risk factors are present: a sedentary lifestyle, excess body weight, high blood pressure, cases of diabetes in family history, or age over 45 years.