How Important Are Carbs For The Body? Know These 5 Facts

Illustration of carbohydrate sources and functions (Unsplash/Young Shih)

JAKARTA – Many people mistakenly think that carbohydrates are dangerous or need to be avoided especially when on a diet. Then why are diabetics, for example, still advised to replace it with corn sugar. This briefly describes the role of carbohydrates for the body.

As reported by Medical News Today, Friday, October 29, here are facts about how important carbohydrates are for our bodies.

1. Carbohydrates are a type of macronutrient

Types of macronutrients include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. All three function to provide energy for the body. Whether it is important or not, is always in a debate because it is determined by a person's health factors, so it is necessary to choose the type of the three macronutrients as well as the right portion.

2. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose for body energy

The body's energy supply comes from macronutrients, one of which is carbohydrates, which are broken down into glucose. There are three types of carbohydrates, including starch, simple sugars, and dietary fiber. But many are mistaken and think carbohydrates are starchy foods.

3. Carbohydrates are found in a wide variety of foods

It is wrong if the type of carbohydrate only refers to bread, rice, and potatoes. Carbohydrates are found in a variety of foods, such as whole grains, legumes, milk, fruits, and vegetables. For those of you who are on a diet, servings per serving of these 5 types of carbohydrates need to be measured. Such as 15 grams for grains, 17 grams of peas, 11 grams of milk, 15 grams of fruits, and 5 grams of vegetables.

4. Carbohydrates are important because they provide B vitamins and phytochemicals

Choosing healthy carbohydrates is important in the diet menu, because as a store of essential micronutrients such as B vitamins and phytochemicals that are useful for warding off disease. Well, carbohydrates that need to be avoided are the intake of starchy foods.

5. How carbohydrates work as energy producers

After carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, they undergo a series of enzyme reactions and produce energy-producing substrates of pyruvate and lactate in the glycolysis process.

When metabolic conditions and oxygen availability are normal, pyruvate is the main ingredient for energy production in the mitochondria of cells. But when during intense physical activity, for example during exercise, lactic acid becomes the main substrate used by the body to provide energy for muscle cells.

Well, when carbohydrates are limited or on a diet, ketone production becomes more dominant to meet energy needs. The body thus relies on ketogenic amino acids and fatty acids for metabolism. The production of ketones occurs in the liver, but the molecules are circulated to the brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles to supply energy.

Usually, people who are on a weight loss program will go on a ketogenic diet. Mainly for lowering blood sugar and the fact that restriction of fat in the food eaten leads to more significant body fat loss.

Meanwhile, in those with insulin resistance, prediabetes, and hormonal imbalances such as PCOS, carbohydrate restriction is beneficial for improving metabolic health.

This means that from this explanation, it is important to pay attention to the carbohydrates consumed as well as the size of each meal and the accumulation of food in one day so that the planned program runs well and is healthy.