{"id":31550,"date":"2023-08-07T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-07T17:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/6f06c4f7-66d4-481e-92bd-676b2b18d4e4"},"modified":"2023-08-07T19:38:26","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T17:38:26","slug":"the-seriously-weird-causes-of-pregnancy-cravings-explained","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/the-seriously-weird-causes-of-pregnancy-cravings-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"The (seriously weird) causes of pregnancy cravings, explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Holly McHugh\n <\/p>

Published: Monday, 07 August 2023 at 17:30 PM<\/p>

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Cravings are something many mamas-to-be are familiar with. Whether it\u2019s ice cream, chocolate, pickles, or something obscure, the body knows what it wants during pregnancy and makes sure we know about it. While pregnancy cravings are not fully understood, there are a few theories about why women might feel these hankerings, one of which is\u00a0due to\u00a0changes in hormone levels.<\/p>

Rising oestrogen and progesterone during pregnancy can increase the sensitivity of taste buds, making certain flavours \u2013 like sweet and sour \u2013 more appealing. As a result, foods that are normally not enjoyable, may become new favourites.<\/p>

These hormones also increase the production of another hormone,\u00a0dopamine, which is involved in the body\u2019s reward system and promotes feelings of happiness. This means women may experience\u00a0greater\u00a0pleasure\u00a0from\u00a0certain foods. Progesterone also increases the release of ghrelin,\u00a0a hormone that\u00a0causes feelings of hunger\u00a0and cravings\u00a0for certain types of foods.<\/p>

Another theory is that pregnancy cravings may be the body\u2019s way of signalling a need for specific nutrients that are necessary for\u00a0the\u00a0growing baby. For example, pregnant women need a much greater amount of iron in their diet because it is required to make blood for both them and their baby and to supply the baby with oxygen. Not getting enough could lead to cravings for red meat, such as burgers or other iron-rich foods.<\/p>

Psychological factors may also play a role in pregnancy cravings. There\u2019s no denying that pregnancy is sometimes stressful,\u00a0and many women\u00a0experience anxiety around childbirth as well. For those who find food a source of comfort, these feelings can perpetuate cravings.<\/p>

Not all women experience cravings, but for those who do, they can be hard to ignore. Healthcare professionals can provide nutritional guidance and may\u00a0suggest\u00a0dietary changes to help ensure that mother and baby are getting the nutrients they need.<\/p>

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