Role of Carbohydrates in Nutrition and Effective Functioning of Brain

Have enough quantity of various food elements to nourish your brain, which plays crucial role in the whole body. Brain is not only crucial and complex but also intriguing.

The simplest explanation for the role of carbohydrates in the human diet is one word: Fuel! There are three so-called macronutrients from which we can derive energy: They are proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Of the three carbohydrates is the most efficient energy source since it can be easily and efficiently be converted into glucose which can, in turn, be utilised directly by both nerve cells and muscles as an energy source.

Two main categories of carbohydrates are mentioned below:

Simple Carbohydrates: They are common sources of energy. Have them from different sugary materials like fructose, glucose, sucrose, lactose, maltose etc. These sugars can be had from fruits, nuts, vegetables, cane sugar and honey. These carbohydrates convert into glucose quickly the sooner you consume source products. They help you gain energy rapidly and your body gets rejuvenated. But as it forms fast its impact too goes down soonest like a small fire burning quickly and downing early. Consumption of these carbohydrates keep your bloodstream intact for a while and they are filled with sugars instantly but thereafter your energy lessens. It is mandatory due to this primary reason that you go for other sources of energy to balance your body temperament. ‘Complex Carbohydrates’ are other categories of it providing complete energy to your body.

Complex Carbohydrates: Often named polysaccharides, complex carbohydrates are best combination of various sugar types. Our bodies need longer time to digest them. Once it is done, sufficient glucose is released into bloodstreams. It is the main reason that whenever you gain energy from complex carbohydrates its impact remains for longer periods unlike gaining it from simple sugars. It has already been discussed previously that Glycemic Index (GI) is best method to measure released energy from carbohydrates. We further elaborate here that GI is an excellent source to understand best carbohydrates categories which may keep your body and brain charged for longer period. GI is a valuable indicator for this.

The link between energy availability and proper brain function is well established. Simply put, nerve cells cannot function properly unless there is a constant stream of energy available. Consider the following:

• Nerve cells do not store glucose. They can therefore only derive energy from what is available in the blood stream.

• Neurons (nerve cells responsible for communication) are in a state of constant activity and do not have ‘rest periods’ like the cells in muscles or in the digestive system. Even while you are sleeping your nerve cells are busy with repairs to their structural components and the manufacture of enzymes and neurotransmitters.

• A core activity of the nervous system is communication (i.e. the sending of ‘messages’ from one part of the brain to another or from the nervous system to another part of the body). This communication takes places through the use of bioelectric signals and is extremely energy intensive.

All of the above leads to the astounding fact that although the brain makes up only about 2% of the body weight of an average person it consumes 20% of the energy in that body. The critical importance of a continuous and reliable energy supply to the brain is further illustrated in the fact that the body will automatically prioritise the brain’s energy needs during periods of extreme trauma.

Energy usage of your brain constantly remains at high rather higher. Many research findings explain that brain keeps draining extra glucose when it is involved in mentally demanding assignments like solving puzzle or negotiating mazes. Brain drains glucose for hippocampus, which is an important portion of it and keeps you at the learning path. Your memory level too remains intact. Skipping school lunch or snacks is strictly prohibited due to this reason. Choose carbohydrates which are slow releasing when you perform intense thinking for longer periods. This way your energy level will not get affected. Have knowledge of Glycemic Index to cope up such situations. This knowledge will make you choosy and you will take carbohydrates which keeps your brain energetic. If you don’t know these facts you may feel at low mentally even though you had had good food.

Various symptoms are associated with ADD-ADHD but lack of focus and impulsivity are most frustrating amongst them as they bring other problems along. You can easily trace their causes from the energy starved brains. Make it a habit to learn more about nutrition and particularly about all types of carbohydrates which you eat. Having proper knowledge of them is perhaps the first step to control ADD-ADHD. This topic is so much important that it requires an elaborative investigation. Keep checking back regularly to learn more in the coming write-ups.