Thinking of drastically cutting back on carbohydrates because you want to lose weight? According to Harvard Medical School, not consuming carbohydrates can prevent your body from properly obtaining all the energy it needs to burn throughout the day, in addition to other consequences that you may not know.
The side effects that occur most frequently when carbohydrate consumption is abruptly reduced, such as, for example, if the much vaunted ketogenic or keto diet is started , are: bad breath, constipation, headache and cramps. However, there are other consequences, perhaps not so well known, of depriving the body of this macronutrient. We tell you.
1. Stomach pain and digestive discomfort
These discomforts would be the consequence of a poor fiber intake . According to an article published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology , fiber not only makes you feel full longer, but it also helps with digestion and keep the gastrointestinal tract in perfect condition. And why are we talking about a fiber deficit? Very simple: diets with no or very low carbohydrates often avoid legumes, fruits and vegetables , so fiber consumption becomes deficient.
2. Increased risk of heart disease
According to a study published in The Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition , cutting out carbohydrates can increase the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease and arrhythmias. This does not mean that cutting out those carbohydrates that come from junk food such as chips, donuts, pizza and others is not beneficial for heart health.
3. Lack of potassium
By completely ditching carbohydrate-rich foods, your body may eliminate other beneficial nutrients. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study in which it was found that a decrease in carbohydrate intake caused us to urinate more, a process through which the body releases certain nutrients.
When you reduce your carbohydrate intake, you lose potassium, a key mineral whose deficiency can lead to long-term problems such as increased blood pressure and the formation of kidney stones .
4. Vitamin imbalance
We return to the problem of eliminating fruits and vegetables, which are rich in carbohydrates. According to a study published in The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition , highly carbohydrate-restricting meal plans lack adequate levels of vitamin B7, vitamin D, vitamin E, chromium, iodine, and molybdenum . These essential nutrients guarantee the proper functioning of the organs and health, so it is to be expected that a series of problems such as hair loss, weight gain or memory loss, among others.
5. Poor quality sleep
Anyone who has ever been on a diet knows that the changes that are experienced are not only physical but also mental. According to a study published in Pediatrics , a lifestyle without carbohydrates ends up causing poor quality sleep, which is related to poor mental function.
