Food craving
desire to consume a specific food
A food craving (also called selective hunger) is an intense desire to consume a specific food, and is different from normal hunger. It may or may not be related to specific hunger, the drive to consume particular nutrients that is well-studied in animals. In studies of food cravings, chocolate and chocolate confectioneries almost always top the list of foods people say they crave; this craving is referred to as chocoholism. The craving of non-food items as food is called pica.
Causes
A food craving is a strong desire to eat a particular type of food. This desire can seem uncontrollable, and the person's hunger may not be satisfied until they get that particular food. Food cravings are common. One research found that 97% of women and 68% of men reported experiencing food cravings.
There is no single explanation for food cravings, and explanations range from low serotonin levels affecting the brain centers for appetite to production of endorphins as a result of consuming fats and carbohydrates. Ghrelin, the "hunger hormone," increases when people skip meals and is often experienced by people who suffer from chronic conditions, both of which impact the appetite signals in the hypothalamus.
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