🍽️ high carbohydrate diet

Blood Sugar Regulation: High-carbohydrate diets, especially those containing refined carbohydrates and sugars, can lead to spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels. This can contribute to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, particularly in individuals who are overweight or sedentary.

Weight Gain: Consuming excess calories from carbohydrates, especially refined carbohydrates and sugary foods, can contribute to weight gain and obesity. These foods tend to be calorie-dense but not very filling, leading to overconsumption and subsequent weight gain.

Dental Health: Diets high in sugary foods and beverages can increase the risk of dental caries (cavities) and gum disease. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars, producing acids that erode tooth enamel and promote tooth decay.

Cardiovascular Health: Some research suggests that diets high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars may increase the risk of heart disease, particularly when combined with other unhealthy dietary and lifestyle factors. These diets can contribute to elevated triglyceride levels, inflammation, and insulin resistance, all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Digestive Issues: In some individuals, particularly those with certain digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), high-carbohydrate diets, especially those containing certain types of carbohydrates such as fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs), may exacerbate symptoms such as bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort.

Blood Lipids: While dietary fats have a more significant impact on blood cholesterol levels than dietary cholesterol, high-carbohydrate diets, particularly those high in refined carbohydrates and sugars, can raise triglyceride levels and lower HDL (good) cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for heart disease.