Healthy Living: Why Carbs Are Important for the Brain and Body

Elevate Christian Network :: Health and Wellness

Carbohydrates are essential for our body, especially for our brain. The human race is distinguished from other animals because it has the highest development of cognitive functions thanks to an evolved brain. This brain is about 1,400 grams in weight i.e., only about 2 per cent of the body weight.

The primary source of energy in the brain is glucose. Rarely, in glucose depleted situations, like fasting etc. it can use ketones to some extent for a limited period. Brain has a very high rate of metabolism, using ~5.6 milligramme glucose per 100 gram of brain tissue per minute.

How Carbohydrates Affect Mood and Behavior

Dr Ashish Shrivastav, senior consultant neurosurgeon at Apollo Hospitals explained, “Carbohydrates are the only nutrients which can match this rate of energy requirement. However, the brain prefers to get its carbohydrates from carbohydrate rich whole foods rather than simple sugars.

Clinical nutritionist Tanu Arora explained, “ Carbohydrates significantly affect the mood and behavior, they are equally important for mental health also. People who are on high fat, low carbohydrate diet for a year had more anxiety, depression, and anger than people on a low fat, high carbohydrate diet.

Read the full story…. asianage.com

 

Richard J. Wood: How do carbohydrates impact your health?

Richard J. Wood:  The things we eat and drink on a daily basis can impact our health in big ways. Too many carbohydrates, for instance, can lead to insulin resistance, which is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes. But what are carbs, exactly? And what do they do to our bodies? Richard J. Wood explains.

 

See also: Health & Wellness Channel | Health & Fitness Store on Elevate Christian Network

 

 

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