6 Herbal Remedies For Sugar Cravings

Sugar is the vital source of fuel for the body. However, sugar craving causes excess consumption of sugar, most of which cannot be utilized by the body. Sugar craving worsens blood sugar control and is a common cause of unintended weight gain. It induces excess insulin secretion, which increases risk of various health disorders. Fluctuation in the blood sugar level is a common cause of sugar craving. Sugar craving is also associated with mood problems. You may even crave for sugar when you are dehydrated. Sugar craving provokes you to eat unhealthy sugar rich foods. Luckily, cravings for sweet foods can be overcome with the help of certain herbs. Herbs that can control sugar cravings are known to help in stabilizing the blood sugar level.

The Following Herbal Remedies Can Help In Fighting Your Sugar Addiction:

1. Gymnema

In Ayurveda, the herb gymnema is widely recommended for diminishing sugar cravings. At the molecular level, gymnema is structurally similar to the glucose molecule. It attaches to the taste buds and reduces sensitivity to sweetness. This helps in reducing your desire to eat sugary foods and minimizes sugar cravings.[1] In addition to blocking the sugar rich food from activating the sweet taste buds, gymnema helps in inhibiting absorption of sugar from foods in the intestines. You can take two capsules containing the herbal extract thrice a day.

2. Cinnamon

To control your sugar cravings, drink aromatic cinnamon tea or sprinkle generous amount of the spice on your foods. Cinnamon is known to help in glucose metabolism. It helps in increasing insulin sensitivity.[2] Sugar cravings can develop following insulin resistance. When your body cannot utilize the sugar, the concentration of sugar in the blood rises. Cinnamon helps in stabilizing the blood sugar level that helps in reducing cravings for sugar rich foods naturally.

3. Licorice

The sweetness of licorice helps in diminishing sugar cravings. Sweet cravings are often associated with stress, which weakens the adrenal glands and worsens the cravings. The adrenal hormone cortisol that helps in fighting stress is also associated with sugar metabolism.[3] Adrenal fatigue, which causes rapid breakdown of cortisol reduces availability of the adrenal hormone for stabilizing the blood sugar level, thereby triggering sugar cravings. Licorice helps in blocking rapid degradation of the cortisol. To reduce sugar cravings, you can take 200 to 400 mg of licorice extract containing 5% of the active constituent glycyrrhizin. Avoid licorice if you are suffering from high blood pressure.

4. Ginseng

When sugar craving is associated with stress, the herb ginseng can help in overcoming the sugar addiction. American ginseng as well as Asian or Panax ginseng can help in staving off sugar cravings.[4] This adaptogenic herb is known as a natural stress buster. Studies have shown that ginseng helps in lowering the blood sugar level. You can take 100 mg of ginseng twice a day. Although Asian ginseng is usually considered more effective, if you are suffering from hypertension, then American ginseng will be a safer alternative for you.

5. Saffron

Saffron helps in regulating the brain pathway involved in sugar addiction. It helps in increasing satiety that causes feeling of fullness and reduces cravings for sweet food.[5] According to a study, sweet cravings decreased by 55% by taking saffron extract.

6. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera contains polysaccharides that according to research, helps in stabilizing the blood sugar level and reducing sweet cravings. In diabetics, aloe vera helps in improving insulin sensitivity.[6] Therefore, to reduce sugar cravings, you can take aloe vera juice or aloe vera extract.