Food cravings, or a strong desire to eat, are common for both men and women, but the similarities may end there. Women and men not only experience cravings differently, but they also have different hormonal and neurological influences that affect appetite and food preferences.1
If men do experience cravings, they tend to prefer savoury foods, especially under stressful conditions.2 Women, on the other hand, more commonly report cravings for sweet foods such as chocolate, pastries, and ice cream.3 Studies have consistently shown that the vast majority of individuals reporting strong chocolate cravings are women.3
Brain imaging suggests that women may be slightly more food-motivated than men.4 Imaging studies have found that brain regions associated with food reward and cravings show greater activation in women when viewing food images compared with men.4 Research surveys have also shown that approximately half of men find cravings easy to ignore, compared with only around one in five women.5
In addition to neurological differences, there are hormonal explanations. Unlike men, women's hormone levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle.4 Hormones such as testosterone, oestrogen, and progesterone all play important roles in appetite regulation and food intake.4
Women experience monthly variations in sex hormone levels across the menstrual cycle, whereas men do not have such cyclical hormonal changes. The menstrual cycle is often described as having two primary stages based on ovarian activity: the follicular phase, when oestrogen is more prominent, and the luteal phase, when progesterone is more prominent.4
Image Description
Women experience monthly variations in sex hormone levels across the menstrual cycle. During the follicular phase, the egg develops and increases the release of oestrogen (estradiol is the most common type in menstruating women). Ovulation is the release of the egg from the ovaries. During the luteal phase, when cravings are most common, oestrogen levels decrease and progesterone levels increase. Progesterone is required to support the uterine lining if a pregnancy occurs. If the egg is not fertilised, menstruation occurs and the cycle continues.4
Dips in oestrogen levels during the luteal phase and before menstruation are often associated with increased food intake and a stronger preference for sweet foods compared with women in the follicular phase.4 A review of the available evidence suggests that women may consume approximately 238 additional calories per day during the luteal phase compared with the follicular phase.4 Over time, if these additional calories are not offset by changes in energy expenditure, they could contribute to gradual weight gain.4
So, are you craving more sweets than usual?
This may be due to tempting foods at the Christmas table, but it could also reflect the hormonal changes associated with the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle.4
Why not try Calocurb? A 2023 clinical study demonstrated that Amarasate®, the active ingredient in Calocurb, reduced overall feelings of hunger by up to 30%, cravings by up to 40%, and rebound eating by 14.3% in a randomised, double-blind, crossover clinical trial involving healthy adult women.6
Calocurb is the world's only patented 100% natural appetite control supplement.7 Clinical studies have shown that Amarasate® stimulates the release of appetite-regulating gut peptides including GLP-1, CCK and PYY, which help enhance feelings of fullness and satiety.8 If you are looking for a natural solution to reduce cravings by up to 40%6 and reduce calorie intake by up to 18%,8 try Calocurb today.
