FUNCTIONS OF CARBOHYDRATES

FUNCTIONS OF CARBOHYDRATES

Functions of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates have the simplest function compared to other macronutrients such as proteins and fat. Carbohydrates, unlike proteins and fats, are not essential for the body. This means that you can survive without eating carbohydrates. Ironically, most people eat mainly carbohydrates, and to lesser extent proteins and fats.

Energy Supplier

The most important function of carbohydrates is to provide enough source energy to the body. Just like protein, carbohydrates provide 4 kcal per gram.

A plate of porridge (50 grams of brinta) contains 35 grams of carbohydrates. This equals 35 * 4 = 140 kcal.

Simple carbohydrates / fast carbohydrates are anything but satiating. Yet, just like very saturating carbohydrates, they also provide 4 kcal per gram. For example, you can easily drink a can of cola that contains 36 grams of carbohydrates. While eating 50 grams of brinta is really much more saturated. This is one of the reasons why people simply consume too many calories too quickly..

Carbohydrates save protein (not)

A common argument is that carbohydrates are said to be protein-saving. Hence, some people add carbohydrates to their protein shakes to minimize muscle loss.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that easy.

Carbohydrates can somewhat limit the breakdown of protein if you only eat carbohydrates at that time. If you already eat proteins, carbohydrates hardly have an extra effect. So you can say that eating something is better than eating nothing. When it comes to reducing protein breakdown at least. Not if you already have a fat percentage of 50%.

Decreased appetite and healthy intestinal function through fiber

You can categorize carbohydrates on the basis of degradability. You then get the categories of digestible and indigestible carbohydrates.

Dietary fiber, or fiber for short, is a form of carbohydrates. They fall under the indigestible carbohydrates. This means that the body can (almost) not break them down and therefore cannot absorb them. As a result, dietary fibers provide virtually no energy; 2 kcal per gram or 0 kcal per gram. Depending on the exact type of dietary fiber.

There are many different types of fiber, each with its own function. Since most health benefits have been found with eating foods high in fiber and not isolated with eating fiber, the role of fiber on its own is not always clear. The two health benefits that can be stated with certainty are:

o    Fibers have a satiating effect, they make you less hungry again.

o    Fibers keep the mass in the intestine supple and ensure a good flow.

Your brain can also do without carbohydrates

What you often hear is that you need carbohydrates because your brain needs glucose (broken carbohydrates) to function. And that's right; your brain does indeed function primarily on glucose. But that doesn't mean they can't function if there is no glucose present.

Your brain can use ketones as an energy source. Your brain cannot directly use fatty acids as an energy source. Hence the fatty acids are first broken down into ketones, after which it can be used by the brain as an energy source.

And no, this is not dangerous or toxic. In fact, a keto diet is an established diet for controlling epilepsy. Also, more and more research points towards the neuroprotective effect of ketogenic diets.

Sweetener

This is not directly a function, but carbohydrates, especially sugars have a sweet taste.

Delicious, but make sure that these are the types of carbohydrates that hardly saturate. As discussed previously.

Download free feeding schedule

If you want to lose weight, it is in many cases (pay attention to the nuance) to reduce your carbohydrate intake. Many people eat too many carbohydrates and too little protein. In addition, carbohydrates are also not essential for the body as mentioned earlier. Reducing your carbohydrate intake allows you to create an energy shortage while still getting the essential nutrients.

To help you take a step in the right direction, I offer you a free diet plan, tailored to your body and purpose (I also have scheduled if you want to arrive correctly).