Are carbs good for you?
Or should you limit them?
While diet fads come and go, thelow-carb dietseems to have mainstream staying power.
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And it continues to be popular with the paleo andketo diets.
So what exactly are carbsand do we really need them?
What Are Carbs?
Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients the body needs: carbohydrates, protein and fat.
This means they are needed in large amounts and are essential for human health and proper body functioning.
Additionally, they must be consumed through diet since the body cannot produce them.
So what happens in your body when you avoid carbs, such as with a low-carb diet?
Carbohydratesare made up of sugars, starches and fibers.
Sugars primarily offer sweetness.
Sugar also helps to preserve foods, such as with jams and jellies.
Starches are made up of many sugar molecules linked together.
Carbohydrates can also help with regular bowel movements and make stool easier to pass, perStatPearls.
Food Sources of Carbs
Carbohydrates are mainly found in plant foods and dairy.
So what happens if you avoid carbohydrates?
You may feel more tired and hungry and findconcentrating more difficult.
When you stop eating them, your body is forced to find an alternative energy source for the brain.
It will switch to breaking down fat into ketones, an alternative to glucose.
Other complications that have been linked to long-term carbohydrate-restricted diets include kidney damage, osteoporosis and impaired physical activity.
In other words, choose whole grains, fruits and vegetables over sugary drinks, candies and baked goods.
The Bottom Line
Carbohydrates are essential to human health and functioning.
