The Effect Of Refined Carbohydrates On The Metabolism

Metabolism is the description of how your body uses and stores nutrients for energy and raw materials. When metabolism is slow, your body has ample nutrients, storing surplus nutrients and avoiding the use of fat stores. When metabolism is fast, your body uses fat and other energy stores to provide energy. Refined carbohydrates rapidly increase blood sugar and stop your body from burning fat for energy.

Refined Carbs

Refined carbohydrates are starches, flours and sugars that have had their physical and chemical properties altered from their natural forms. This processing produces tasty finished products, but can remove nutrients and increase the rate that your body absorbs the carbs. In your intestines, carbs are broken down into individual sugars. Refined carbs are easier to break down, and quickly increase your blood sugar level.

Fat Use for Energy

To lose fat, you must consume it to produce energy. When blood sugar is high, your body prefers to use sugar, rather than fat, for energy. Fat stores exist to supply your body when food is not available. When blood sugar is high, the hormone insulin is released, promoting storage of sugar and fat. When blood sugar and insulin are low, an enzyme called hormone-sensitive lipase enters your fat cells and releases fat into the blood for energy.

Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load

Glycemic index is the measure of how fast carbohydrates increase your blood sugar. Because of the alteration of their physical and chemical properties, refined carbs almost always have a high glycemic index. Additionally, many foods that contain processed carbs contain large amounts, and also have a high glycemic load. Glycemic load is the measure of how much a food increases your blood sugar, regardless of time. Because both the glycemic index and glycemic load of refined carbohydrates are high, they force your body to deal with a large amount of sugar very quickly.

Heart Disease

According to a 2010 study in "The Journal of Clinical Nutrition," high consumption of refined carbohydrates was a greater risk factor for cardiovascular disease than high fat intake. High blood sugar levels can damage cells by disturbing fluid balance and cause damage to proteins critical for your heart's health. Cholesterol is a fatty molecule that can cause plaque to build up in your arteries; A low-carb diet is more effective than a low-fat diet at reducing cholesterol levels.