6 Reasons That You Should Be Eating Carbohydrates

By far the biggest misconception is that carbohydrates make you fat. They don't. Excessive consumption of any type of food leads to weight gain. The important thing is that you choose your carbohydrates wisely. Choose carbohydrate-rich foods that are unprocessed and unprocessed (such as whole grains, and fruit) rather than refined and energy-dense (such as cakes, sweets, and soft drinks). Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for the body; they fuel muscles and play an important role in brain function. So depriving your body of this macronutrient can have unpleasant side effects. These are six good reasons to eat more carbs.

1. Carbohydrates help boost mood.

One reason to eat carbs is because it makes you happier. Foods rich in carbohydrates, for example, such as whole wheat bread, pasta, cereals, and potatoes, can improve one's mood. Researchers claim that carbohydrates, in their purest form, stimulate serotonin production in the brain. Serotonin is a feel-good hormone, that promotes feelings of well-being and happiness. Moreover, carbohydrates improve depressed mood and control aggression. It is also known to be beneficial for what is known as 'winter depression'. In general, a high-carbohydrate diet, combined with complex carbohydrates, and lean protein, has a positive effect on one's mood. This combination of foods plays a key role in boosting your mood, motivation, and concentration.

2. Carbohydrates promote weight loss.

A moderate diet with fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and low-fat dairy products, and daily exercise is the best way to lose weightThe idea that carbohydrates cause fat is untrue. Carbohydrates do not make you fat however, on the contrary, carbohydrates support healthy weight loss.

Advertisement Powered by advergic.com

A high carbohydrate diet containing complex carbohydrates acts as a powerful appetite suppressant. They keep you full for longer because they digest more slowly than other types of food. Thus, they stimulate a sense of fullness. Foods high in fiber and resistant starch (such as whole grains and starchy vegetables) increase levels of satiety hormones that signal the brain to suppress hunger and increase metabolism. So in short, carbohydrates suppress your appetite, keep you full longer, and help you lose weight.

3. Carbohydrates are good for your heart.

As long as you pick a range of healthy, less processed carbs in moderation, carbohydrates are not at all harmful to your heart. What matters is what type of carbohydrate you choose. Carbs can make or break your heart health. For example, if your diet consists mostly of soda, cheesy pasta, fried potatoes, or other processed carbohydrates, you are definitely hurting your heart health.

Eating foods rich in soluble fiber (complex carbohydrates) such as oatmeal, nuts, beans, apples, etc. is key to heart health. Soluble fiber reduces blood sugar spikes and lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels in the blood. Fiber binds to cholesterol and prevents it from being reabsorbed. Thus ultimately removing the excess from the body. Therefore, people who eat more whole grains (such as brown rice, quinoa, and bulgur) have lower LDL cholesterol levels, thus improving heart health.

4. Carbohydrates are fuel for your brain.

The cause of carbohydrates for many reasons, one of the main reasons not to eliminate carbohydrates from your diet is that carbohydrates are brain fuel. Reducing carbohydrates from your diet may help with short-term weight loss, but it can have an immediate effect on brain function. Although the brain makes up only 2% of the body's weight, it uses 20% of energy daily, mostly in the form of glucose. Advertisement Powered by advergic.com Research shows that a healthy diet rich in complex carbohydrates improves brain performance and preserves brain function. Additionally, they shield brain tissue from harm brought on by free radicals. Additionally, because carbohydrates are slow digesting, they provide a steady source of brain fuel. Therefore, you need to consume plenty of carbohydrate-rich foods to keep you focused and energized throughout the day.

5. Carbohydrates help reduce the waistline.

It may be hard to believe, but there is plenty of research to back it up. Consuming three servings of whole grains a day is linked to a smaller waist size in middle-aged adults, according to research published in the Journal of Nutrition. This research goes against the common belief that eating carbohydrates increases belly fat.

As studies indicate, replacing refined carbohydrates with whole grains can reduce heartburn and other cardiometabolic diseases. So if you're worried about that big waistline, you might as well start making healthier choices. Replace your refined bread, pasta, and pizza with whole-grain products.

6. Carbohydrates for better muscle mass

If you are working to gain muscle, cutting carbohydrates from your diet may not be a good idea. This is because when the body is running on low carbohydrates, it starts using other sources like fat and protein to meet its needs. Also, carbohydrates, like protein, are important for fueling your muscles. Carbohydrates are stored in the muscles in the form of glycogen, and this stored energy (glycogen) helps power your workouts.

After using glycogen for energy, it's important to replenish these stores because consuming carbohydrates after exercise prevents muscle damage and helps repair them. That is why it is recommended to consume carbohydrates immediately after exercise. Also, focus on choosing good, quality carbohydrates such as whole-grain bread and cereals, milk, yogurt, fruits and vegetables. Finally, carbohydrates are important for building muscle.

The bottom line

Elimination of carbohydrates leads to weight loss. If you still think so, let me clarify. You lose weight when you eat fewer calories and eliminate a specific food group, whether it's fat, protein, or carbohydrates, similar to eating less. The reasons why carbohydrates are eliminated first are that they are easily over-eaten and that we tend to eat the wrong types of carbohydrates. So if you're eating the right kind of carbs (complex, whole grains) in moderation, you're definitely on the healthy path.