According to Brierley Wright, there is a common misconception that carbohydrates make you fat. Indeed, if they are consumed in large quantities, these organic compounds could contribute to weight gain. However, very low carbohydrate diets are linked to premature death, according to a study.
The reasons why it is important to consume carbohydrates:
Carbohydrates can help improve your mood.
Carbohydrates promote the production of serotonin, which is a very beneficial brain chemical. A study published in Internal Medicine concluded that people who followed a low-carb diet for one year (20 to 40 grams of carbohydrate a day) were more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.
Carbohydrates are good for your heart
Increasing your soluble fiber intake (a type of fiber found in foods rich in carbohydrates such as oatmeal and beans) by 5 to 10 grams per day could result in a 5% decrease bad cholesterol (LDL).
Carbohydrates help prevent weight gain
People who eat a high fiber diet are more likely to maintain an ideal weight. This is because the fibers have a high index of satiety.
Carbohydrates provide you with energy
Foods that contain carbohydrates are consubstantial to a healthy diet. They provide the body with glucose, which is converted into energy to support bodily functions and physical activities.
Low carb diets have become very popular for their effectiveness for weight loss, and the prevention of certain diseases. However, these diets are linked to premature death, according to a study.
A study published in The Lancet Public Health states that low carb diets could reduce lifespan.
The team conducted observational research with over 15,400 people aged 45 to 64, from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds in four communities in the United States. These people completed questionnaires about their eating habits twice, six years apart. And their state of health has been monitored for 25 years, taking into account factors that may affect outcomes, such as smoking and diabetes.
The researchers found that 50-year-olds who had a moderate carbohydrate diet had an additional life expectancy of four years. This provides further evidence that low carb diets could be extremely damaging to our long-term health.
However, "Too much carbohydrate and little carbohydrate can be harmful to our health, which matters most is the type of fat, protein and carbohydrates. Says Walter Willett, a professor at Harvard's TH Chan School of Public Health.
Caution :
It should be emphasized that the amount of carbohydrate - high or low - is less important than the type of carbohydrate you incorporate into your diet. For example healthy whole grains such as whole wheat bread, rye, barley and quinoa are better choices than white bread or french fries.
