Craving chocolate? You might need magnesium!

According to a recent article in Eat This Not That!, if you're craving chocolate your body might be signaling that you need additional magnesium, according to Susan Yanovski, MD, co-director of the Office of Obesity Research at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Dr. Yanovski says that up to 80% of people in the U.S. may be deficient in the essential mineral, and research indicates we're simply not getting enough of it through diet alone.

Why does magnesium matter? Chronically low levels of magnesium might increase your chances of having high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis, according to the Mayo Clinic. So while the COVID-19 pandemic rages on and cold and flu season is still in full force, it's even more important to incorporate the mineral into your diet or daily supplement regimen. And you may just find your cravings for sugary treats will dissipate along the way.

You can get more magnesium through chocolate (especially Ghirardelli dark chocolate!) nuts, seeds, beans, brown rice, dried fruits, and dark leafy greens. The recommended daily allowance for adults is 420 milligrams for men and 320 milligrams for women. You can also get much of your daily magnesium needs met with Vie powder, which provides magnesium directly and also within the pumpkin seed extract.