14 Reasons Why You Should Eat More Carbs
15-07-2019 | Posted By: Shagun Parasher | 4223 View(s)
It is a common misconception that “carbohydrates make us fat”. They do not. Carbohydrates are an essential part of the diet, and they are needed to be eaten in quantities enough to meet the daily requirements of our body. Sure, if they are eaten in unnecessarily large quantities, they could contribute to weight gain, and that is pretty much the same with other foods too, right? Carbohydrates are a healthy addition to our diet. Read on to find out 14 Reasons Why You Should Eat More Carbs.
14 Reasons Why You Should Eat More Carbs
1. Carbohydrates lift our Mood
There is an old saying, “pasta makes anything taste better”, and it is also true. Why? That is because most carbohydrates contain tryptophan, which helps produce a hormone called serotonin in our brain. When there is less tryptophan in the body, there is less serotonin, and we become more likely to be depressed and having sleep disorders.
2. Carbs make our Heart Healthy
Research suggests that increasing the intake of soluble fibre by 7-10gms every day can result in a drop in LDL cholesterol, which is often regarded as bad cholesterol. Likewise, people who consume more whole grains like brown rice, bulgur, quinoa etc. also tend to have lower LDL cholesterol and higher HDL Cholesterol.
3. Carbs help reduce Bloating
Whole grains, fruits and veggies are considered good carbohydrates. They contain a lot of fibre, and this fibre helps in keeping our bowel movements regular. This makes us less likely to feel puffy or bloated, and so this will naturally eliminate waste more efficiently, and you will feel better.
4. Carbs give us Energy
Would it be hard to run a machine without fuel? Ask the controller, and he would say Yes. That is what happens when you try to run your body without carbohydrates. Carbs are fuel to the body, and they are the most energy giving foods because they contain glucose. And we all know glucose is the number one source of energy. Protein and fats also provide energy, but the efficiency of carbohydrates as energy giving source is more than the latter two.
5. They contain good B Vitamins
Whole grains contain ample amounts of B vitamins, which help our body make energy from food. This energy, in turn, helps our body produce red blood cells.
6. Carbs help Trim your Waistline
Swapping refined grains with whole grains help in reducing total body and belly fat, as per a research conducted by the Journal of Nutrition suggests. Whole grains add less fat to your body than refined fats in the abdomen and whole body than those who eat less than a quarter of a serving.
7. The Memory stays Sharp
According to research, after overweight women followed a low-carb diet for a week, they started to perform worse on the grounds of mind than their counterparts who were on a low-calorie diet.
8. Carbs help you blast Fat
Foods such as oatmeal or bran cereals 2-3 hours before the workout can help you burn fat. These are made up of “slow-release” carbohydrates that don’t spike the blood sugar as high as the refined foods. In return, insulin levels don’t spike as high and since insulin plays a role in signalling our body to store the fat, having lower levels can help us burn fat.
9. They are dual Performers
Carbohydrates can help prevent weight gain as well as promote weight loss. Researchers at the Brigham Young University in Utah followed the eating patterns of middle-aged women for around two years and found that those who increased their fibre intake generally lost weight whereas the women who decreased it gained weight. Fibre is an indigestible complex carbohydrate that helps you reach satiety and also does not get digested. One arrow, two targets and this is why you should eat more carbs.
10. They support our Brain to Work Better
We cannot emphasise this one; it is so huge. Our brain needs 20% of the energy we produce every day. And this 20% is so significant that our whole body works because of it. Our mind needs carbohydrates to function properly. That is because it runs on glucose and we get glucose from carbs, as discussed above. If we do not get enough glucose, i.e. carbohydrates every day, our ability to think, learn and remember things will decrease. This is because then, the neurotransmitters in our brain would not get ample glucose to synthesise appropriately. This is one of the most important reasons why you should eat more carbs.
11. Carbs help Regulate Muscle Contraction
Glycogen is helpful in regulating calcium functioning. Calcium is required for controlling muscle contraction. So when our glycogen/ glucose levels decline, our output drops as well.
12. Carb cutting weight loss is Temporary
People usually lose weight quickly when they cut out carbs. But what they forget to notice is that it is mostly water weight that is lost. Each gram of carbohydrates stores three to four grams of water. When we shed carbohydrates, water is squeezed out of our muscles and liver. As a result, we lose weight, but not fat. Depriving yourself of carbs and sugars leads to binging and cheat days. People inevitably gain the weight back, and therefore, it is advised to keep up the physical activity and not stop it because you know the consequences.
13. They protect against type-2 Diabetes
It is a commonly perceived notion that carbs cause type-2 diabetes. And that is thought so because it seems like there is a link with the high-sugar intake. However, proper intake of both insoluble and soluble fibre is associated with a decreased risk of diabetes.
Choose fibre-rich carbohydrates and whole grains. Also, swap your white rice with brown rice for additional benefits. So, Eat More Carbs to avoid this condition, which affects a large population of our country.
14. They are full of Nutrients
One of the most important reasons why you should eat more carbs is that they are rich in so many nutrients. Protein, calcium and iron are present in lentils and beans, B vitamins, iron and Vitamin D in wholegrain cereals, Vitamin C, folate, calcium, potassium, beta carotene, iron in fruits and veggies. Brown Rice contains magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.
We should eat a variety of them. Dietitians say that two-thirds of our diet should come from plant-based foods, with fruit and vegetables making up a third, and cereals, pasta, potatoes and rice making up another third.
This was about 14 reasons why you should Eat More Carbs.
We hope that you like this article. If you do, do not forget to share it with your family and friends. Also, if you have any queries in the comments section below, do let us know. We will get back to you with another fascinating article until then, stay healthy, stay happy.
