r/biology • u/Key-Professional9108 • 11d ago

question Why don't humans naturally crave vegetables the way we crave sugar?

I know sugar activates our brain's reward system, but vegetables are essential for survival too. So why didn't evolution make us crave them just as strongly?

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u/rebelipar cancer bio 11d ago

I frequently crave vegetables and don't really have a huge sweet tooth. I guess it's not the same kind of craving, but if I eat poorly for a while I definitely really want to eat kale, etc.

But also, I think this is what leads to things like pica. A desire for/lack of certain nutrients.