Sugar Cravings & Digestive Health: A Chinese Medicine Perspective
Do you often crave sweets? Many people think sugar cravings are just a habit, but in Chinese Medicine, they signal an imbalance in the digestive system—even if you have a strong appetite.
Case Study: Sugar Addiction & Energy Imbalance
A 47-year-old woman visited my clinic with fatigue, stress, headaches, and poor sleep—waking up between 1-3 AM every night. She also struggled with anxiety, irritability, low motivation, and uncontrollable crying before her period. Despite having a strong appetite, she constantly Craved sweets.
After just seven acupuncture sessions, she shared:
“This is so weird—I don’t even think about sugar anymore! But now, I don’t feel as hungry either.”
Why Do You Crave Sugar?
In Chinese Medicine, sweet tooths are linked to a weak digestive system, specifically the Earth element, which includes:
✅ Stomach Energy (Yang) → Moves energy and fluids
✅ Spleen Energy (Yin) → Governs moisture and transformation
✅ Sweet flavors nourish the Spleen Energy
The Liver (Wood element) also plays a role, following the upward movement of the Spleen.
How Digestive Weakness Triggers Sugar Cravings
When the Stomach Energy is weak, it fails to support the Spleen, leading to:
🔹 Spleen Energy deficiency, blocking the Liver’s natural flow
🔹 Liver Energy stagnation, causing stress, mood swings, and poor sleep
🔹 Spleen fluid depletion, worsening fatigue and digestive issues
🔹 Increased sugar cravings as the body seeks balance
While sugar temporarily soothes the craving, it doesn’t fix the underlying imbalance—which can worsen over time.
Daily Tips:
As we age, our Stomach energy naturally declines, so nourishing it with healthy food is essential for overall well-being.
Exercise:
Walking/Hiking— Strengthens your Wood element (Liver/Gallbladder).
Weightlifting — Builds muscle and supports your Earth element (Stomach/Spleen), especially beneficial for women.
Eat Healthy: