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Good Carbs And Bad Carbs

The Difference Between Good and Bad Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates (carbs) are a vital element of a sensible diet plan, but there is much debate about “good” and “bad” carbs. So, how can you tell them apart?

Carbs can be categorised as simple (i.e. “bad”) or complex (i.e. “good”) depending on their chemical structure and how your body processes them.

Complex carbs, like legumes and whole-grains, have longer sugar molecule chains and these normally require more time to be broken down and used in the body. Consequently, these carbs generally provide you with more sustained energy levels.

Simple carbs are comprised of easily digested, basic sugars which do not contain much real value for the body. If a carb is low in fibre and high in sugar, then it is not likely to be very good for you.

Surprisingly, fruits and veggies are classed as simple carbs. However, they are dramatically different from other foodstuffs in this category, like cakes and cookies. The fibre in veggies and fruits alters the body’s method of processing sugar and slows down its’ digestion. This actually makes them more akin to complex carbs.

The simple carbs you should cut down on the most in your diet are:

  • Candy
  • Soda
  • Sugar
  • Artificial syrups
  • White bread, white pasta and white rice
  • Potatoes (which are complex carbs technically speaking, but behave like simple carbs inside the body)
  • Desserts and pastries

You can still eat simple carbs occasionally, you should just not have them as your main source of carbs. You can also make better simple carb choices, like eating a baked potato instead of chips.

Complex carbs are “good” because of the longer sugar molecules they consist of which take the body longer to break down. They usually have a reduced glycemic load, which means lower quantities of sugar will be released more consistently and this will give you energy throughout the day.

Choosing complex carbs means looking at the labels before buying your food so you know  precisely what you are getting. If the ingredient listed first is whole wheat flour, then it is probably a complex carbohydrate. Buy whole-wheat pasta rather than plain white pasta and brown rice rather than white rice.

Ultimately, you just need to be sensible with your choice of carbs. Avoid low-nutrient desserts, examine the fibre and sugar levels in carbs and concentrate on veggies, fruits and healthy whole-grains to give your body the energy it needs each day.

Diet Tablets To Control Carb Intake

There are a number of diet tablets available commercially that can prevent the absorption of bad carbs. These are known as Carb Blockers.

Perhaps the best example of a carb blocker is Meratol – Meratol can prevent approximately 80% of carbohydrate absorption.

More about Meratol

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Where To Buy Pycnogenol UK

Pycnogenol - French Maritime Pine Bark

The UK is reporting once again about the anti-aging benefits of Maritime pine bark and in particular a new range of wondercreams that could be appearing shortly.

In truth Maritime pink bark is not really a new discovery – it has been available in the form of orally taken supplements or capsules for several years.

The press reports appear to be highlighting the results of the most research that has pinned even more positivity on this natural substance.

‘To date, Pycnogenol is the only natural supplement that stimulates hyaluronic acid production in human skin’

The extract has been shown significantly reduce and slow down the signs of aging, giving the appearance of noticeably younger and firmer skin.

The results have shown that skin elasticity could improve by up to 25% and also dramatically rehydrate the skin

In tests twenty healthy women aged 55 to 68 were given Pycnogenol, a branded oral supplement or capsule containing the antioxidant. The results were pretty impressive.

After the clinical tests had been completed a biopsy was undertaken to assess the levels of hyaluronic acid – hyaluronic acid has been found to be extremely beneficial to the skin.

Production of the acid was raised by 44 per cent, in addition skin elasticity was increased by 25 percent and skin hydration by 8%.

Pycnogenol has many other positive benefits to human health and has been found to help treat patients suffering from diabetes, impotence, menopausal symptoms, asthma, osteoarthritis and hypertension.

Where To Buy Pycnogenol Pine Bark Capsules

Currently available from the Holland and Barret online store.

Pycnogenol is the brand and Holland & barret are stocking a high strength 60mg capsule.

Recommended dosage is one to two capsules daily, preferably with a meal.

Buy Pycnogenol Capsules Holland & Barrett

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