Carbohydrates:- Your Diets Fuel

What are carbohydrates?


Carbohydrates are an ideal source of energy to the body. They play a critical role in the proper functioning of the immune system, fertilization, blood clotting and human development.


How food is converted to fuel in our body?


The food in our body is digested by mixing it with acids and enzymes in the stomach.   The digested carbohydrates in our stomach is broken to another type of sugar called “glucose”.  The stomach and small intestines absorb the glucose and then release it into the blood stream. Once the glucose makes it to the blood stream, it is immediately used for energy or stored in our bodies, to be used later.






The role of insulin in our body:-


Insulin is a hormone secreted by beta cells in the pancreas and it helps to store glucose for energy. Without insulin, the glucose stays in the bloodstream therefore increasing the blood sugar levels.

Rich sources of carbohydrates-

The healthiest sources of carbohydrates are,unprocessed or minimally processed whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans—promote good health by delivering vitamins, minerals and fibers.


Poor sources of carbohydrates-

 Unhealthier sources of carbohydrates include white bread, pastries, sodas, and other highly processed or refined foods.  These items contain easily digested carbohydrates that may contribute to weight gain, interfere with weight loss, and promote diabetes and heart disease.



 

Recommended Dietary Allowances for Carbohydrates:-


 

Why a Sugar High Leads to a Brain Low


Brain requires a constant supply of blood glucose in order to function properly, contrary to this eating refined sugars or slurping in sodas is not the right intake.On the contrary, researchers at the Salk Institute in California found that high glucose levels resultingfrom quick, easy sugar intake slowly but surely damage cells everywhere in the body, especially those in the brain.
Unfortunately, having too little glucose and having too much glucose are both problematic. When your blood sugar levels drop, your hypothalamus sends out a distress signal that leads to the release of adrenaline to your liver, ordering it to turn excess fat into glucose. When you consume too much sugar, your pancreas secretes insulin to nudge that extra sugar into your cells, and too much insulin can deplete your normal glucose levels, depress your immune system, and lead to kidney disease. Plus, excess insulin also promotes fat storage, which sets up a vicious cycle. Either extreme can leave you feeling woozy, nervous, fatigued, and shaky.
-Masooma Fatima

(B.Sc Nutrition)

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