Tag: Spicy cravings

According to a 2016 study, 3.3% of pregnant women who experienced cravings reported a desire for spicy foods. Whether expecting or not, that intense yearning for the tangy heat of buffalo sauce is a common, and often puzzling, sensation with roots in biology, psychology, and habit.

Studies have shown that capsaicin, the active compound in chili peppers, triggers the brain to release endorphins, creating a natural high. This neurochemical response is one of the fascinating reasons behind why you might crave Tabasco, as the unique blend of flavor and heat offers both a sensory experience and a psychological reward.

Did you know that unlike cravings for ice (associated with iron deficiency), no specific nutrient deficiency is directly linked to a desire for spicy food? While many people believe persistent cravings are a sign of a nutritional gap, the answer to the question, 'What deficiency causes spicy cravings?' lies more in complex physiological and psychological factors.