As soon as anyone says healthy diet, the first thing that comes to our mind is eliminating carbs. As per popular notion, carbohydrate leads to weight gain, high cholesterol, poor metabolism and more. While we don't negate this idea completely, one must also remember, carbohydrate makes for an important nutrient to maintain a balanced diet. Getting confused? Fret not, we will elucidate for you. Let's start with understanding what is carbohydrate. Carbohydrate is one of the three macronutrients (fat and protein being the other two) that the body requires daily. For the unversed, there are three main types of carbohydrates - starch, fibre and sugar. And if you dive in deep, you will find these elements available in almost every food we eat; dal, potato, and corn have starch; while fruits, milk etc have natural sugar. This means, along with protein, our body needs carbohydrates as well to function well. Nutritionist Nidhi Nigam weighs in, "Carbohydrates help us achieve optimal nutrition and attain a healthy body and mind."
If this hasn't convinced you enough, then let us highlight some very important reasons why you must include the essential nutrient in your daily diet.
Also Read: Beware! Low-Carb Diets May Lead To Irregular Heartbeat, Increased Risk Of Stroke
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Here Are 5 Health Benefits Of Adding Carbohydrate To Your Daily Diet:
1. Carb May Promote Weight Loss:
You heard us! Unlike the popular notion, good carbs may actually help shed some extra kilos. Fibre is a complex carbohydrate that our body needs to boost digestion. Complex carbs also keep us full for a longer time. Both these factors help facilitate weight loss.
2. Carb May Aid Heart Health:
As per a report on Sutter Health, carbohydrates are not bad for the heart, as long as you choose a variety of whole, minimally processed carbohydrates in moderation. In fact, if taken consciously, the soluble fibre helps manage the cholesterol level in the body, further aiding heart health.
3. Carb May Help Boost Memory:
A study by researchers at Tufts University found that a low-carbohydrate diet affects people's working and visuospatial memory. Hence, they suggested including healthy carbs in everyday diet to keep up the sharp memory.
(Also Read: Fact Check: Foods Rich In Carbs Can Be Healthy Too, Here's A List)
4. Carb May Boost Energy:
According to nutritionist Nidhi Nigam, carbohydrates are a source of energy for our body to perform our daily tasks. Along with proteins and fats, carbs are a macronutrient that gives energy to the nervous system.
5. Carb May Help Build Muscle:
Nutritionist Nidhi also stated that carbohydrates have a protein-sparing effect; meaning, they will allow the protein to help build muscles in our body, help wear and tear, and repair tissues.
Now that you know the benefits of carbohydrates, we suggest including them in your diet. But remember, moderation is the key.
Eat healthy and stay fit!
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.