Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are put into two different categories, Simple Carbohydrates and Complex Carbohydrates. They are used to provide energy to the body, during work and at rest. Carbs are converted into sugars and are stored as glycogen to form ATP for energy. If energy is not used or no more glycogen can be stored, then the carbs are stored as fat. Short bursts of energy use glycogen for fuel. However, long durations of energy use fat for fuel when glycogen is used up.
Performance:
Without energy provided by carbs, an athlete will lose energy or "burn out". The body is like a car, it needs fuel to function.
Simple:
The simple carbohydrates categories are Fructose (fruit sugar), Sucrose (table sugar), and Lactose (milk sugar). Simple Carbohydrates are great sources of quick energy. This causes an increase in insulin levels which can lead to hunger.
Complex:
Complex Carbohydrates include fiber and starches. They can be found in vegetables, bread, rice, oatmeal, whole grains, peas, and beans. Complex Carbohydrates take longer to be digested, so your body needs more time to release these carbs into your blood as glucose. They are excellent source of fuel.
Insulin:
Carbs convert into insulin. Insulin is a storage hormone than clears sugar out of the bloodstream. Insulin stores excess fuel as fat. The more sugar you take in, the more Insulin is created. This can lead to Hyperinsulinemia. When the Pancreas stops generating insulin to combat sugar, this creates the disease known as Diabetes.
Performance:
Without energy provided by carbs, an athlete will lose energy or "burn out". The body is like a car, it needs fuel to function.
Simple:
The simple carbohydrates categories are Fructose (fruit sugar), Sucrose (table sugar), and Lactose (milk sugar). Simple Carbohydrates are great sources of quick energy. This causes an increase in insulin levels which can lead to hunger.
Complex:
Complex Carbohydrates include fiber and starches. They can be found in vegetables, bread, rice, oatmeal, whole grains, peas, and beans. Complex Carbohydrates take longer to be digested, so your body needs more time to release these carbs into your blood as glucose. They are excellent source of fuel.
Insulin:
Carbs convert into insulin. Insulin is a storage hormone than clears sugar out of the bloodstream. Insulin stores excess fuel as fat. The more sugar you take in, the more Insulin is created. This can lead to Hyperinsulinemia. When the Pancreas stops generating insulin to combat sugar, this creates the disease known as Diabetes.