Unexpectedly, this is the impact of a low-carbohydrate diet on the intestines

Low-carbohydrate diets are a diet that is currently being followed. Because, this diet is known to have many benefits, one of which is losing weight. On the other hand, a study shows the detrimental impact of a low-carbohydrate diet on gut health if taken to an extreme. So that, you must be wise when running this diet.

Relationship of low-carbohydrate diets and gut health

A low-carbohydrate diet does have many benefits, but too low carbohydrates are also detrimental to the body according to research conducted by a lecturer, Richard Agans of Wright State University Dayton in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology in 2018.

Richard Agans and his team aim to see what happens to the condition of the gut when a person changes their diet from a balanced diet to a low-carb diet.

In this study, Agans made a replica of the human intestine using various tools with the latest technology to carry out its research, as well as using feces from donors to carry out this research.

Research conducted by Agans and his team found that when a person from a balanced diet switches to a diet high in fat and no carbohydrates, the number of bacteria in their intestines decreases.

The reduction in bacteria needed by the gut will over time reduce the production of short chain fatty acids and antioxidants in the intestine. In fact, these two compounds are very necessary for maintaining intestinal health.

Lack of carbohydrates increases the risk of colon cancer

Short-chain fatty acids and antioxidants in the intestines are chemical compounds that are very important to fight DNA damage and aging due to free radicals in intestinal cells. When these two compounds are reduced, the possibility of inflammation and the risk of colon cancer will increase.

Therefore, according to researchers, the impact of an extreme low-carbohydrate diet is actually dangerous, not healthy.

Too few carbohydrates will make a decrease in the production of short chain fatty acids and antioxidants in the intestine which is quite dangerous in the future.

Even so, this research still needs to be re-evaluated. Because, it cannot be known with certainty from this study how much the ratio of carbohydrates, protein and fat should be safe for maintaining intestinal health.

Carbohydrates increase important chemical compounds in the intestines

If a person is consuming adequate amounts of carbohydrates, you will not only get energy but also a healthier gut.

When carbohydrates enter the intestine, intestinal bacteria will metabolize carbohydrates directly and release short chain fatty acids. Likewise with antioxidants.

However, when very few carbohydrates enter, there is nothing that stimulates intestinal bacteria to release important chemicals for the intestines.

Low carb diets are fine, but …

Sometimes people forget or are too enthusiastic about following diet trends to cut down on food sources of carbohydrates, without thinking about the impact of an extreme low-carbohydrate diet. In fact, carbohydrates still have a function that is no less important than fat and protein.

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body. One gram of carbohydrates produces 4 calories of energy. The energy from these carbohydrates can be used directly or can be used as energy savings if it is needed later. The central nervous system and brain are also naturally very dependent on energy from carbohydrates.

In addition, carbohydrates also help maintain the amount of protein or muscle mass in the body. When the amount of carbohydrates in the body is insufficient, the body automatically takes protein as an energy source so that it can reduce body muscle mass.

Carbohydrates also function to control body weight. Especially complex carbohydrates will provide this benefit. So, you should not diet carelessly because the effects can actually be dangerous for you.