15 signs we're eating too many carbs and what's the danger

Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for the body. However, their excessive consumption can lead to various negative consequences, such as high cholesterol, digestive problems, or acne.

OBOZREVATEL, with the assistance of thedailymeal.com, offers a closer look at 15 signs that indicate a high amount of carbohydrates in the diet.

Feeling tired

If you feel like taking a nap right after eating, it may be due to carbohydrates. Eating large amounts of carbohydrates increases blood sugar levels, causing short bursts of energy in the body and ultimately leading to a feeling of fatigue.

Always thirsty

If you feel thirsty even after drinking a whole bottle of water, it's not always a sign that your body is thirsty. The reason may lie in the diet itself. After eating foods high in carbohydrates, blood sugar levels rise, so you feel thirsty and urinate frequently. Water helps moisturize the bloodstream and removes excess sugar through the urine.

Headaches

Headaches and migraines are among the symptoms that should never be ignored. In fact, they can be a sign that your body is suffering from excessive carbohydrate intake. Foods such as white bread or pasta can increase blood sugar levels and cause headaches.

Poor digestion

Carbohydrates can cause problems with the digestive tract and intestinal disorders. For example, white rice is low in dietary fiber and often causes constipation. Instead of foods high in carbohydrates, such as bread and potatoes, it is better to give preference to sauerkraut or tempeh, which are very healthy.

Mood swings

Food affects mood. You may feel happy and energized after eating ice cream because all the carbohydrates are converted into sugar, giving your body energy for a short period of time. However, a few hours afterwards, an emotional breakdown from sugar fever occurs, which causes severe irritation.

Cravings for sweets

Dopamine, also known as the hormone of happiness, is released in the body when we experience pleasure, such as eating sweets. This chemical causes the brain and body to respond to sugar by craving it even more. Therefore, when you eat various cookies, candies or donuts, you want them again and again.

The feeling of hunger

Foods rich in protein and healthy fats take longer to digest and help you feel full for a longer period of time. But if your diet consists primarily of carbohydrates, you may feel unsatisfied after a meal and want to snack again. Most refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, remove nutrients and fiber, turning them into empty calories. Such foods are metabolized into glucose faster and speed up the digestion process.

High cholesterol content

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition links a high-carbohydrate diet to lower levels of "good cholesterol" (HDL) and high levels of "bad cholesterol" (LDL), which can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Difficulties in losing weight

If your weight does not decrease, regardless of training, you need to take a deeper look at your diet. Diets rich in carbohydrates can make you feel hungry and force you to eat more calories than you really need. This is because low-fiber foods are converted into glucose faster, and a sharp spike in blood sugar levels promotes insulin production. When insulin absorbs too much glucose, it turns into fat and accumulates in the body.

High blood sugar levels

If doctors have confirmed high blood sugar, bad carbohydrates may be involved. Processed foods such as white bread enter the bloodstream faster than whole grains, creating unbalanced glucose and insulin levels.

The appearance of acne

Research confirms that carbohydrates are associated with acne. This is because the increase in insulin levels stimulates the production of sebaceous glands. You should give preference to chia seeds, broccoli, and other foods for healthy skin.

Depression

A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (USA) has shown that eating too much sugar and other carbohydrates can lead to an imbalance in some brain chemicals. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of depression and anxiety.

Abdominal pain

Eating foods that are high in carbohydrates can cause abdominal pain. For example, pasta contains gluten, which is poorly digested, and some people suffer from gluten intolerance. This causes bloating and irritation. In this case, it is better to eat avocados, fennel, and Greek yogurt instead of beans and other carbohydrate products.

Problems with teeth

Scientists say that excessive sugar consumption (with the exception of natural sugar from fresh fruit) not only increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, but also dental problems. Starchy foods made from white flour can linger in the mouth and turn into simple sugars. Bacteria feed on them and produce acid, which causes tooth decay. This can lead to tooth decay, toothache, sensitivity to temperature changes, and pain when chewing.

Forgetfulness

Too many carbohydrates can cause brain fog. By abusing sugar or grains, the brain becomes overloaded with high levels of insulin released in the body. This reduces certain functions, leading to memory and thinking disorders.