CARBOHYDRATES have long been hailed the bad guy when it comes to health, but not all sources of this important nutrient are a no-go zone
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| Carbs have long been hailed the bad guy when it comes to health, but are they all bad? |
Bread, pasta, chips, rice…
Carbohydrates are a key ingredient in many of the tastiest and most tempting foods out there.
The concept of ‘cutting carbs’ is widely accepted as a sure-fire way to lose weight.
And indeed, the consumption of carbohydrates is one of the most hotly contested topics in the nutrition world. But are they all bad?
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| Not all carbohydrate sources are created equal - whole food sources can be very good for you |
As The Independent reports, not all carb sources are created equal. While refined carbs - found in white bread, sugary cereals and junk food - are harmful to health, the whole food sources can be very good for you.
Here are five reasons to NOT to cut the carbs...
1. They’re full of fibre
One thing we all know, is that fibre is loaded with health benefits. Soluble fibre - most commonly found in oats, legumes and potatoes - is renowned for its impacts on heart health and weight management. What’s more, almost all dietary fibres are in fact made of carbs.
2. They can increase your lifespan
The world’s longest living populations don’t shy away from carbs. Okinawa in Japan has the highest density of people over the age of 100 in the world. Their diet consists mainly of sweet potatoes, green vegetables and legumes. In Ikaria, Greek Islands, almost 30 per cent of the population live to be 90, and their diet is high in legumes, bread and potatoes.
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| Carbohydrates can help increase your lifespan and don't make you fat if consumed correctly |
3. They’re not bad for your brain
Recently, there has been some discussion around whether carbs cause brain inflammation, but the argument is untested. Whole grains are high in fibre and magnesium, which in fact decrease inflammation. The Mediterranean diet is notoriously high in whole grains, and has strong links to slower age-related illnesses and mental decline.
4. They don’t make you fat, if consumed correctly
Health advocates have typically pinned carbs as the key cause of obesity, because they allegedly spike insulin levels and therefore encourage fat storage. However, there is vast scientific evidence to disprove such theories. The argument also conflicts indigenous groups such as Thai and Taiwanese pre 20th century, who thrived on high-carb diets but remained very lean.
5. They help your gut digest food
The concept of good vs bad gut bacteria is another heavily discussed area in nutrition. Recent studies suggest carbohydrates help the ‘good’ bacteria - which aids digestion and helps fight disease - to grow. The soluble fibre found in carbohydrates is very nourishing for the stomach.
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