Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates may help people fall asleep faster but can reduce sleep quality during the night. The article links early low-carb weight loss to fluid released from carbohydrate-associated water retention. Ketogenic or very low-carbohydrate diets are said to reliably lower high triglycerides within weeks. Limited or absent dietary carbohydrates do not prevent continuous glucose availability. Carbohydrate is not structurally or hormonally essential and is not required for survival. A person can live a long and healthy life with virtually no dietary carbohydrate, whereas survival without fat or protein is impossible. The article argues that carbohydrate benefits are often confused with fiber benefits. A complex carbohydrate can become simple sugar in the bloodstream within minutes. Processed carbohydrates and sweets should be avoided, whereas natural fats and oils are essential. Carbohydrates have a complex relationship with sleep compared with alcohol or late meals. The liver is not solely dependent on dietary carbohydrate intake for glucose production. Refined starches, bread, potatoes, and fries can raise blood glucose more strongly than table sugar. Wheat bread, baked potatoes, a…