Why are carbohydrates needed in any diet?

Answer 1

Muscles need Carbohydrates to function and have energy. If you do not have carbohydrates you will lose mass amounts of muscle mass, resulting in a slowed metabolism which in the long run, will only make you have more fat mass and less muscle mass. By including carbohydrates in your diet, you are providing your body with essential energy for proper cellular function.

When dieting, keep in mind that Calories are what make you fat and NOT Carbohydrates. So, by counting your Caloric intake, you can safely eat essential nutrients your body needs and lose excess fat weight at the same time.

Answer 2

Carbohydrate does not need to be part of a daily diet. It may surprise you to learn that, unlike protein and fats, there is no minimum requirement of carbohydrate in order to flourish physically. In other words, you would become unwell and die if you did not eat fat and protein. Fat and protein are essential nutrients to sustain life, but carbohydrate is not. For example, Inuit Eskimos got along perfectly well without carbohydrates.

However, certain carbohydrates such as vegetables and fruits have many beneficial phytochemicals and they have fiber so eating some is fine. For weight loss, the best sources are fresh non-starchy vegetables and fruits such as berries.

However, refined processed carbohydrates are a different matter. These are not 'natural' carbohydrates. Eating too many refined processed carbohydrates, or eating them too often, can create myriad health problems. They are a major cause of Heart disease, hypertension, body fat accumulating around the abdomen or stomach, unwanted weight gain, insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 Diabetes and other diet related diseases. It is wise to strictly limit refined processed carbohydrates (apart from the occasional treat). If you are unsure what refined processed carbohydrates are, you can view the list, further down this page, listed under Related Questions.

Our bodies do not flourish on refined processed carbohydrates because our ancestors did not evolve eating them. For example, from around two-and-one-half million years ago until the Agricultural Revolution around ten thousand years ago our hunter-gatherer ancestors did not consume grains or products made from grains. Many people have a problem with refined processed carbs because our bodies are extremely similar to the bodies of our ancestors. Less than 1/10th of 1% of our genes have changed in the last 10,000 years. In terms of evolution, it is not that long ago.

For more information, or to view a list of refined processed carbohydrates, see the page link, further down this page, listed under Related Questions.

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Answer 3

It gives you energy that is pretty much it

Answer 4

Carbohydrates are an energy source and help structure sells in your body.

Answer 5

Brain needs glucose