| Carbohydrates are the main source of blood | | | | Fructose is also known as fruit sugar. It is mainly |
| glucose, which is a major fuel for all of the body's | | | | found in fruits and honey. It can be found in some |
| cells and the only source of energy for the brain | | | | energy drinks mainly designed for endurance |
| and red blood cells. Except for fiber, which cannot | | | | athletes. It is also used in some supplements as a |
| be digested, both simple and complex | | | | sweetener since it is the sweetest of all the |
| carbohydrates are converted into glucose. The | | | | simple sugars. The absorption of fructose into the |
| glucose is then either used directly to provide | | | | blood stream is much slower than that of glucose. |
| energy for the body, or stored in the liver for | | | | This leads to less problems associated with roller |
| future use. When a person consumes more | | | | coaster blood glucose levels that leave us feeling |
| calories than the body is using, a portion of the | | | | tired. |
| carbohydrates consumed may also be stored in | | | | Carbohydrate restriction improves glycaemic |
| the body as fat. | | | | control, the primary target of nutritional therapy |
| Phytochemicals are getting lots of attention | | | | and reduces insulin fluctuations. |
| because of the beneficial, natural defense system | | | | Refined flour and sugar are perhaps the vilest |
| they provide the body. Phytochemicals, the innate | | | | villains that cause weight gain. Excessive intake of |
| defense systems of plants, help plants ward off | | | | food products rich in these two ingredients can |
| fungi, viruses and bacteria. When people consume | | | | cause your blood glucose levels to increase, |
| a plant product, the same defense system is | | | | triggering the additional production of insulin, and |
| inherited, which helps them fight against cancer, | | | | causing the body to convert carbs to fat. Eating |
| heart disease and diabetes. | | | | low carb foods would ensure that you get only |
| Dietary fiber is classified into 2 types: insoluble and | | | | the amount needed by your body. Deprived of |
| soluble. Both types of fiber are composed of | | | | surplus carbs, your body would then burn its fat |
| dense indigestible polysaccharide carbs whose | | | | stores instead of carbohydrates, and you start |
| structure cannot be converted into glucose by | | | | losing weight. What’s more, if you stick to |
| human digestive enzymes. Paradoxically, the | | | | the diet, you’ll find that you’ll tend to |
| indigestibility of fiber makes it a very healthy | | | | shed pounds at a faster pace. |
| addition to our daily diet. Insoluble fiber (eg. | | | | These are more variable, partly dependent upon |
| cellulose, a few hemicelluloses and lignin in plants | | | | the symptoms the person was having in the first |
| and whole grains) benefits digestion by stimulating | | | | place. Again, a low carb diet can in no way be |
| peristalsis - the muscle movements that propel | | | | considered a cure for these conditions, and this is |
| food along the colon. Being bulky, the fiber allows | | | | not a scientific survey. Also, rest assured I am |
| the colonic muscles to get a better "grip". Point is, | | | | not listing every benefit I have ever heard of - |
| if food moves faster through the large intestine, | | | | these have been mentioned enough to make me |
| the risk of digestive disorders (eg. constipation, | | | | think that there is validity to them for some |
| diverticulitis, even colon cancer) is reduced. | | | | people. |