Contents:
- Medical Video: 9 Signs You’re Eating Too Much Sugar
- What is carbohydrate refined?
- What are some examples of refined carbohydrates?
- What are the effects of refined carbohydrates for health?
- 1. Obesity
- 2. Type 2 diabetes
- 3. Heart disease
Medical Video: 9 Signs You’re Eating Too Much Sugar
The food we eat certainly affects our health. In general, all foods contain nutrients that are good for the body if consumed according to what the body needs. And, if food is consumed in excess, it certainly can have an impact on health. However, sometimes in the food you eat, you don't know what content and how much is in it. One of the things you might just hear is refined carbohydrate content in food. What is it and is consumption of refined carbohydrates dangerous?
What is carbohydrate refined?
Carbohydrates are substances that the body needs, as the main energy source for the body. You can get this carbohydrate from consuming various foods. Many foods contain carbohydrates. However, the types of carbohydrates contained in the food you eat are not always the same. One type of carbohydrate commonly found in foods is refined carbohydrates.
Refined carbohydrates are carbohydrates that have gone through many processes to become the food you eat. This process removes layers of seeds, bran, fiber, vitamins and minerals. So, what remains is fine grains with very little nutrient content, maybe even none.
What are some examples of refined carbohydrates?
There are two main types of refined carbohydrates, namely:
- Sugar: like processed sugar, sucrose (table sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup
- Smooth flour: is a grain that has gone through a process to remove fiber and nutrients. Like processed wheat flour.
Some foods without you knowing it might contain refined carbohydrates. Examples of some refined carbohydrate foods are:
- Various snacks, such as chips, crackers, pretzels
- White bread and pasta, these are processed foods made from flour. Flour is a fine grain obtained from the processing of grains.
- Sweet drinks, such as soft drinks, energy drinks, and packaged tea drinks usually contain added sugars, such as high-fructose corn syrup
What are the effects of refined carbohydrates for health?
Refined carbohydrates are carbohydrates that have been processed into substances that are easily absorbed and digested by the body. Because it is very easily digested by the body, refined carbohydrates are also called simple carbohydrates. Removal of fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fat, and protein during the process makes refined carbohydrates very easily absorbed by the body.
1. Obesity
However, this also has a negative impact on your health. The absence of nutrients contained in refined carbohydrates makes you only eat foods that are 'zero' nutrition but high in calories. If consumed in excess, of course this can cause weight gain.
In addition, the fiber content that is very little and very quickly digested also makes you not feel full for long after consuming it. As a result, you will overeat, which can support weight gain and obesity.
2. Type 2 diabetes
Besides being able to cause obesity, you can also experience it type 2 diabetes mellitus if too much consumption of refined carbohydrates. The content of sugar and flour in refined carbohydrates can increase your blood sugar levels quickly after you eat these foods. The pancreas then produces insulin to control blood sugar levels.
However, if excessive carbohydrate intake is refined and the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, then your blood sugar levels will be high and cause type 2 diabetes.
3. Heart disease
Excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates can also cause heart disease. This can happen because it turns out that refined carbohydrates can increase triglyceride levels and reduce levels of good fats in your blood. So that, it can increase your risk of experiencing heart disease. Foods that contain refined carbohydrates usually contain sodium, saturated fats, and high bad fats which can increase the risk of heart disease.
