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May 19, 2021    

If you worry about eating too many carbs, then there are signs of excess carb intake to know.

One of the main effects of consistently overeating carbohydrates is unwanted weight gain. In spite of their bad reputation, carbs are not bad, they are important to human function.
Good carbohydrates provide us with energy to get through the day.
There are tons of examples of lean and fit people who consume generous amounts of carbohydrates, however anything in excess will result in issues.

 Christine Hronec, an award-winning chemist and three-time champion fitness competitor, nutrition, and exercise expert, says there are six signs of excess carb intake that people should know about.

 1. Hyperglycemia (Type 2 Diabetes)

This condition is the result of excess glucose in one’s blood stream. This is one of the key signs of diabetes a condition where the body cannot effectively lower one’s blood sugar due to irregularities with ones insulin levels.

This results in frequent urination as well as a persistent thirst. Eating excessive amounts of sugar is the primary cause of this condition, however there are cases where the body is not able to effectively manage glucose metabolism due to the inability to create insulin (type 1 diabetes) or a case of insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes).

2. Bloating

Even if you eat a healthy and balanced diet, bloating is a part of life and sometimes seems to happen for non-obvious reasons. Consistent bloating is typically related to excess carb intake, gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, IBS, or consumption of high FODMAP foods.

3. Acne

Nutrition plays such an important role in skin health. Excessive carb intake in the form of refined sugars can increase acne breakouts. Refined carbs breakdown into sugars that feed bacteria.

While bacteria alone will not cause acne, it can stress existing inflammation. Selecting lower glycemic index carbs will help minimize nutrition related breakouts in addition to dialing your sugar intake to only 10% of your recommended carb content and keeping that level dialed in.

4. Fatigue

A common sign of excess carb intake will result in a shift in energy level. The problem is that refined carbs are processed very quickly leading to quick rises in energy levels, but results in a sharp drop in blood sugar that induces fatigue.

When insulin is released from the pancreas it drops your blood sugar but it also causes an increase in your melatonin and serotonin levels in the brain resulting in a feeling of mild drowsiness after eating large portions of starchy carbohydrates.

5. Depression

Depression results from a reduction in ones serotonin levels in the brain. Excess sugar intake declines optimal brain function and increases overall inflammation in the body.

A lot of people seek emotional comfort from food where excess carbs are a common go-to when one is feeling down. The problem is that excess sugars, artificial sweeteners, and fast foods – which are very high in carbs – have been linked to cause a wide variety of mental disorders from ADHD to bipolar disorders.

6. Sugar Cravings/Addiction

Some studies show that sugar is up to 8 times as addictive as cocaine. It was found that sugar actually stimulates the brains opioid receptors. More often than not unresolved emotional problems can be taken out on food.

Instead of treating your issues with food, it is advised to talk about them with a trusted friend or counselor.

To learn more about good nutrition and the role herbs can play in better health, sign up to get a sample of the Herbal Collective magazine.