What Does It Mean When You Crave Cinnamon?

A cinnamon craving hasn’t been connected with a definite cause.

If you crave cinnamon, it may just reflect your desire for a favorite food, especially if you haven’t eaten it for a while. Or it could simply mean you’re craving something sweet.

Desire for Sweets

Cinnamon isn’t exactly sweet, but the spice is often associated with sweet-tasting baked goods.

Eating sugar activates brain chemicals, like serotonin, that make us feel good. As a result, you can crave sweets, says Cleveland Clinic. This triggers cravings and can turn into a cycle where the more you eat, the more you want.

In addition, sugar stimulates the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine affects how we experience pleasure. Its role in sugar addiction is similar to that of other types of addictions, according to UCLA Health.

Monitor Your Stress and Sleep

Chronic stress is one of the most significant factors affecting your hunger hormones.

Stress releases the hormone cortisol, which increases your appetite as part of your body’s fight-or-flight response. Your brain thinks it needs fuel to fight off stress, which increases cravings, especially for high-fat, high-calorie foods, according to Kaiser Permanente. No wonder you’re craving cinnamon rolls!

On top of that, lack of sleep can cause hormone fluctuations that can lead to cravings for sweet, starchy, high-fat, and salty foods, says the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. If your stress is causing you to sleep less, that could compound your cravings.

Control the Craving

If you wait 15 minutes before giving in to a craving, it may just go away. During that time, distract yourself with an activity or drink water. Our brains often mistake thirst for hunger, says Kaiser Permanente.

It’s hard to control sugar cravings after blood sugar drops, but you can manage them by eating small meals and healthy snacks at regular intervals throughout the day, according to UCLA Health. The steady influx of food keeps your blood sugar controlled and reduces cravings.