The endocrinologist explained the need for sugar for the functioning of the body

Sugar and carbohydrates are not always harmful to health, as is often assumed. Olga Karisheva, an endocrinologist at SM Clinic, told Izvestia on March 22 that carbohydrates are necessary for the body to function normally, as they are the main source of energy, especially for the brain.

According to the expert, in everyday speech, sugar is often referred to as any sweet foods or additives, but from a biochemical point of view, sugar is sucrose, which belongs to the group of oligosaccharides included in the class of carbohydrates. This is why sugar and carbohydrates are often perceived as the same thing.Carbohydrates have also been considered extremely harmful for a long time, although they are vital for the normal functioning of the body. Their main function is to provide the body with energy.

"Glucose is the main source of energy for the body. The brain needs it especially — it literally "feeds" on glucose and consumes it even more than many other organs. After that, the energy is distributed according to the needs of the body — it is used by muscles, internal organs and other systems," the doctor added.

She also added that to maintain normal glucose levels in the body, there are hormones whose task is to increase blood glucose levels in order to quickly restore energy balance and ensure normal brain function. In addition, as the endocrinologist emphasized, carbohydrates are involved in the formation of biologically important compounds such as glycoproteins.

"These are complexes consisting of proteins and carbohydrates. Such substances include, for example, thyroid—stimulating hormone, which regulates the thyroid gland, follicle—stimulating and luteinizing hormones that ensure the normal functioning of the reproductive system, as well as transferrin, a protein that transports iron ions in the body," the doctor noted.

Karisheva also said that the main problem is not the carbohydrates themselves, but their excessive consumption. When a person regularly consumes more carbohydrates than the body needs, their excess is deposited in the form of adipose tissue, which increases the risk of developing a number of diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, joint diseases and some cancers.

According to the expert, in order to avoid such problems, it is important to adhere to the principles of rational nutrition.

"According to classical recommendations, carbohydrates in the diet should be about four times more than proteins and fats, that is, the ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is usually 1:1:4 — "one protein, one fat, four carbohydrates." Therefore, it is important to calculate your individual daily calorie intake, maintain regular physical activity and not treat carbohydrates as something extremely harmful," concluded Karisheva.

On February 19, Medical Xpress magazine reported on the dangers of a fiber-free diet for memory. According to the study, the effect of eating highly processed foods can appear as early as three days after the start of maintaining an appropriate diet.

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