Carb Power
summery
Why does a high carb diet keep you going for longer?
For this test we gave two teams of twins the most gruelling day of their lives. We pitted each team against each other in an 18 mile cycle followed by a strenuous three kilometre log race.
Genetically identical, the only difference between the groups was their diet. One team was given a carbohydrate rich diet, the other team was given a diet rich in protein and fat.
" it was clear that the high carb group were beginning to forge ahead"
Initially both teams were neck and neck, but after two hours it was clear that the high carb group were beginning to forge ahead.
But why did they have more energy than the protein team? As carbohydrates are converted into glucose, with the aid of insulin, it is then easily transported into the bloodstream.
Any excess glucose is converted into glycogen which is stored in the liver or fat around the body and when needed is converted back to glucose with the help of a hormone called glucagon, which is secreted by the pancreas.
The high carb team were able to access the necessary energy stores to keep a constant output during the gruelling day of physical activity.
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