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Role and Benefits of carbohydrates
by
User name – Peter Hutch
Carbohydrates are the main source of blood glucose, which is a major fuel for all of the body’s cells and the only source of energy for the brain and red blood cells. Except for fiber, which cannot be digested, both simple and complex carbohydrates are converted into glucose. The glucose is then either used directly to provide energy for the body, or stored in the liver for future use. When a person consumes more calories than the body is using, a portion of the carbohydrates consumed may also be stored in the body as fat.
Phytochemicals are getting lots of attention because of the beneficial, natural defense system they provide the body. Phytochemicals, the innate defense systems of plants, help plants ward off fungi, viruses and bacteria. When people consume a plant product, the same defense system is inherited, which helps them fight against cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Dietary fiber is classified into 2 types: insoluble and soluble. Both types of fiber are composed of dense indigestible polysaccharide carbs whose structure cannot be converted into glucose by human digestive enzymes. Paradoxically, the indigestibility of fiber makes it a very healthy addition to our daily diet. Insoluble fiber (eg. cellulose, a few hemicelluloses and lignin in plants and whole grains) benefits digestion by stimulating peristalsis – the muscle movements that propel food along the colon. Being bulky, the fiber allows the colonic muscles to get a better “grip”. Point is, if food moves faster through the large intestine, the risk of digestive disorders (eg. constipation, diverticulitis, even colon cancer) is reduced.
Fructose is also known as fruit sugar. It is mainly found in fruits and honey. It can be found in some energy drinks mainly designed for endurance athletes. It is also used in some supplements as a sweetener since it is the sweetest of all the simple sugars. The absorption of fructose into the blood stream is much slower than that of glucose. This leads to less problems associated with roller coaster blood glucose levels that leave us feeling tired.
Carbohydrate restriction improves glycaemic control, the primary target of nutritional therapy and reduces insulin fluctuations.
Refined flour and sugar are perhaps the vilest villains that cause weight gain. Excessive intake of food products rich in these two ingredients can cause your blood glucose levels to increase, triggering the additional production of insulin, and causing the body to convert carbs to fat. Eating low carb foods would ensure that you get only the amount needed by your body. Deprived of surplus carbs, your body would then burn its fat stores instead of carbohydrates, and you start losing weight. Whats more, if you stick to the diet, youll find that youll tend to shed pounds at a faster pace.
These are more variable, partly dependent upon the symptoms the person was having in the first place. Again, a low carb diet can in no way be considered a cure for these conditions, and this is not a scientific survey. Also, rest assured I am not listing every benefit I have ever heard of – these have been mentioned enough to make me think that there is validity to them for some people.
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Role and Benefits of carbohydrates}