3 ms·
this article seemed to be pushing the narrative that cravings are basically a psychological / cultural phenomenon, but then seems to take a hard right turn into
by zzzeek 7y ago
this article seemed to be pushing the narrative that cravings are basically a psychological / cultural phenomenon, but then seems to take a hard right turn into, "it's your gut microbiome, the dominant microbes that have survived in your gut can manipulate your moods and cravings via the vagus nerve, dopamine, and serotonin, so that they get more of what they need". This latter theory seems way more interesting if not quite ominous to me but I didn't quite understand where the article was trying to go with these two largely divergent theories. Is the chocolate craving due to a certain kind of bacteria we have in our guts? So chocolate cravings localized to the US, that doesn't mean it's strictly cultural if there is some microbial arrangement we are all getting due to some other dietary phenomenon that's present in the US, some agricultural or industrial process, some kind of ingredient, if it's just about what kind of microbes becomes dominant that leaves it pretty open-ended for a whole lot to be possible. In any case it's less offensive than the bullshitty sounding "it's women's menstruation and their feelings of not being guilty for eating sweets during that time!" theories. I'm male and I crave chocolate like mad.
- Teracotage 7y agoI think there is a more basic need for cravings which could be the shortage of minerals, iron deficiency causes some cravings:"Craving and chewing ice (pagophagia) is often associated with iron deficiency, with or without anemia, although the reason is unclear. At least one study indicates that ice chewing might increase alertness in people with iron deficiency anemia." https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/expert-answers/chewing-ice/faq-20057982 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficien...