Carbs are important macronutrients that supply us with energy. The body breaks down carbs from food into sugars or saccharides.
There are three types of carbohydrates, i.e. starches, sugars, and fiber. The simple and complex carbs break down into sugars whereas fiber isn’t digested.
The body’s ability to dissolve starches and sugars isn’t optimal for everyone, which may cause carbohydrate intolerance.
The capacity for effective metabolism of carbohydrates depends on various factors, from our genetics to the amount of sleep and exercise daily.
Carbohydrate Intolerance Explained
Carbohydrate intolerance is the inability of the small intestine to successfully break down some carbs after digestion to be used as an energy source. If you’ve ever been tired, bloated, or craving sugary foods after meals, it may be a result of your body’s inability to dissolve carbohydrates effectively.
One type of carbohydrate intolerance is lactose intolerance. It happens when the enzyme necessary to digest lactose (the sugar in milk and dairy products) isn’t readily processed in the body, resulting in cramps and bloating.
Improper breakdown of carbs may cause them to go into the stomach or colon undigested. This causes fermentation by the gut bacteria and a lot of gas and bloating.
When the body can’t digest carbs properly, hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance may happen and lead to higher blood sugar levels over time. This can lead to excessive tiredness and frequent cravings for sweet foods because of the spikes and drops in blood sugars.
Carbohydrate intolerance makes the body crave sweet foods as it’s unable to get the energy that it normally would from carbs.
Early Warning Signs of Carbohydrate Intolerance
Some early warning signs may indicate that you have carbohydrate intolerance. Check out some of the most common ones below:
- Hormonal disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Being overweight or obese
- Constant tiredness
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Brain fog
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Uncontrolled appetite
- Painful joints
- High blood sugar levels
- Painful muscles
- Cravings for foods like pasta, bread, beans, potatoes
- Cravings for sweets
- Poor sleep quality
If you experience some or all of these symptoms and suspect a carbohydrate intolerance, lower your consumption of grains, fruits, legumes, and starchy veggies for two weeks. This can help you determine if the symptoms are caused by a carb intolerance or not.
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