Thursday, 18 November 2010

What happens with all our carbs?

When you eat carbs, the body breaks them down into simple sugars (glucose), which are absorbed into the bloodstream. As the sugar level rises in your body, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin. Insulin is needed to move sugar from the blood into the muscles and the liver, where the sugar can be used as a source of energy.

The sugar beeing stored in the liver is called glycogen. Our body can only store about 1200 - 1600 kcal as glycogen. This amount is barley enough for our daily energy needs. When this is used the body start transforming fat and protein to  glucose and this is a much harder process for the body. if we dont choose to eat again. Glycogen is the first energy depot that is beeing used of the body if we dont supply new energy through food.

Our brain and organs are all depending of glucose to function properly. All the surplus glucose from Carbohydrates that isn´t beeing used by the body straight way or stored as glycogen is beeing stored as fat. This is could be a very important factor to the huge increase of obesity and overweight people in modern time. 

When the bloodsugar level goes below a crucial point the body gives the brain a signal that we are hungry and need to eat. If you eat alot of simple sugars you're more likely to feel hungry again soon. When it occurs more slowly, as with a whole-grain food, you'll be satisfied longer. These types of complex carbohydrates give you energy over a longer period of time.


The carbs in some foods (mostly those that contain a lot of simple sugars) cause the blood sugar level to rise more quickly than others. Scientists have been studying whether eating foods that cause big jumps in blood sugar may be related to health problems like diabetes and heart disease. You're probably already on the right track if you are limiting simple sugars (such as candy) and eating more complex carbohydrates (like vegetables, oatmeal, and whole-grain wheat bread)

This is why its important do know your carbs if you want to keep a healthy and fit body.

Also check out articles on       Carbohydrates
                                                High-five to fibre
                                                You become what you eat!

0 kommentarer:

Post a Comment