Long ago, I was one who believed that too much fruit may not have been good for me. I think many of us may think..or thought, that too much fruit may be bad because it has "too much sugar”. I have to say... this belief, may have mislead a lot of us.
What actually happens when we cut out clean carbohydrates such as fruit? I believe, when we cut back or remove foods such as starchy vegetables and fruits, the body goes into survival mode. This can cause stress on our adrenal glands, as our body is not getting the proper fuel source it needs, which would come in the form of glucose. If our adrenal glands are depleted, they will start to pump out excess hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Too much of either of these, can lead to health concerns.
Excess adrenaline can have the following effects on the body:
- Over time, surges of adrenaline can damage your blood vessels.
- Increases blood pressure
- Elevates risk of heart attacks or stroke
- May result in anxiety
- May cause weight gain
Excess Cortisol can have the following effects on the body:
- May lead to rapid weight gain
- Easily bruised skin
- May cause muscle weakness
- Mood swings, such as depression or irritability
- Increased thirst and frequency of urination
When we consume clean carbohydrates, they get converted into glucose in the liver through our portal vein and will then, stimulate insulin. This tells the body to start burning sugar, and store the rest as glycogen. Consuming Fats, on the other hand, are a different story. The fats you eat, good or bad, go straight to our fat cells for storage. Fruit, on the other hand, may help us as well as our bodies with many things in life. They can provide energy, give us mental clarity for sharper thinking, and may help maintain a leaner body mass (muscle). Fruits can also help us stay really hydrated.
When we taste sweetness such as fruit, insulin, our blood sugar lowering hormone, rises, allowing sugar to be taken into our cells. When we deprive our system of fruit, we end up with 0 glucose in our system. This could result in what’s called “low blood sugar”. The body must now try to raise blood sugar when it doesn't have it. This may result in a surge of adrenalin and cortisol. This will try to mobilize stored glucose or will create glucose out of our tissues. When we crave something sweet, it’s our body craving energy for our cells.
The biological purpose of cravings (carbs, sweetness) I believe, is a map for us to recognize what foods the body really needs, so it doesn't have to go through this stressful process. I think our bodies deserve the honor and respect of being provided with exactly what it needs. If we don’t consume clean carbohydrates such as fruits, please remember that our bodies will resort to methods that could hinder our health.
I always love learning and staying current about all things nutrition, and most of all, I love sharing it and educating others. Please feel free to message me if you are curious about any nutrition or health related topics. I can’t wait to hear from you! For more information on the benefits of carbohydrates, check out "Plant Based Diet" linked here:
https://livingwellwithchanelle.com/blogs/news/plant-based-diets-fad-or-fact
Hi. I have been a client of chanelle for 1 year. I find her to be professional, very informative and has a genuine concern for people. She is very personable and easy to communicate with. I look forward to continuing my work out routines with chanelle and her guidance.