What is carb cycling and why is it on the news as a new fat loss technique? In simplest terms carb cycling can be defined as eating carbohydrate-rich foods on a rotational basis during the week. On some days you eat a high amount and on other days you reduce your carb intake and increase the intake of other nutrients. This is particularly followed to target fat loss from the most stubborn parts of the body such as the abdominal region and to boost metabolism. Carbohydrates are an essential part of your diet. Many believe that cutting out carbs totally is the answer to fat loss but that is not the correct answer. The correct solution is to only eat a moderate amount of healthy carbohydrates and quit eating refined carbs which are mostly responsible for belly fat or even visceral fat.
Here’s What Happens When You Follow Carb-Cycling
What happens on the days when you carb-load? This diet is entirely dependent on carb-loading on some days and carb-cutting on some other days. So, on the days when you are supposed to carb-load, your body will react a certain way. Firstly, the carbohydrates that you just consumed will increase your glycogen level in the liver. This happens because your liver will try to balance out the glucose levels that is produced into the blood stream through glycogen. Blood glucose levels int he blood are meant to give you an extra jolt of energy. When the levels are high, your energy levels, metabolism, insulin levels and muscle building will also be high. This is the right time to indulge in intense workouts because this will also help you burn the calories that you consumed and also build muscles at the same time.
What happens on days when you cut carbohydrate intake? On the days when you are not supposed to eat as much carbs as other days, the aim is to induce weight loss by burning stored fat or energy. Low carb intake means that your insulin levels are also low, this will help your body burn fat over time. This method helps make judicious use of stored fat from body. This is also very good for patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes as it us known to improve insulin sensititvity.
5 Reasons Why Healthy Carbohydrates Are Necessary?
Carbohydrates are very important for your health and here are 5 reasons why cutting them out completely is not the answer:
- Carbs are an important source of energy. If you are a person who works out regularly, you need a daily dose of carbs in order to perform your workouts efficiently.
- Healthy carbs also help boost metabolism.
- healthy carbs will help keep your satiated for a long time.
- Carbs help build muscles.
- They also fuel your organs like the kidneys, the heart, brain, and central nervous system.