Does Practicing Qigong Make You Crave More Calcium?
If you’ve been practicing Qigong regularly and suddenly find yourself craving calcium-rich foods or drinks, you might be wondering: Is there a connection?
I recently experienced this firsthand. For almost three weeks straight, I found myself drinking a lot of milk — which is unusual for me because I’ve typically avoided dairy, preferring nut-based milks instead. Intuitively, I realized my body was craving calcium to help balance itself. The only change I could think of was that I had been practicing Qigong more than usual.
Qigong is often thought of as a gentle, flowing practice. But beneath its serene surface lies a deeply powerful system of internal strength training and energy cultivation. If you've recently found yourself craving more calcium-rich foods—like leafy greens, sesame seeds, or even dairy—after a Qigong session, you’re not alone. Your body might be telling you something important.
1. Bone Stimulation Through Internal Strength
Unlike passive stretching, Qigong emphasizes grounding, posture, and subtle muscular engagement that stimulates the bones. Practices that focus on rooting, standing postures, and spiral tension (like in Zhan Zhuang or certain martial Qigong forms) can actually increase bone density over time. This form of internal weight-bearing signals your body to remodel bone, which in turn ramps up your demand for calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D.
2. Energy Activation and Mineral Turnover
Calcium isn’t just about bones—it’s also a key player in nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and cellular energy. Qigong wakes up your Qi (life force), often stimulating your nervous system and internal organs. As your energy flows more freely, your body might use more minerals, especially if you’re practicing regularly and with focus. This can lead to subtle but real shifts in mineral needs.
3. Restorative State Encourages Healing
Qigong moves the body into a parasympathetic, "rest and digest" mode, where healing and repair are prioritized. In this deeply restorative state, your system may "ask" for additional nutrients—like calcium—to repair tissues, balance pH, or support hormonal balance. It’s not uncommon for practitioners to crave foods rich in grounding, stabilizing minerals after a deep session.
4. Heightened Body Awareness
Qigong increases your sensitivity—not just to energy, but also to what your body wants and needs. Cravings may become more aligned with your body’s true nutritional requirements. So if you're feeling pulled toward tahini, sardines, or mineral-rich teas, it may be your body’s intuitive wisdom guiding you.
Your Qigong practice is a living conversation between your body and your energy. If it’s asking for more calcium, listen. It may be a sign of deeper healing and strengthening underway.