Low and slow. Why is this good for me?

Low and slow. Why is this good for me?

Well, in order to easily understand the term "low and slow", what it means and why it is good for me, we must first understand what carbohydrates are and what types they are, and from that we will definitely see clearly why it is good to consume "low and slow" type carbohydrates the most.

What is a carbohydrate?

Carbohydrates are compounds that are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and are formed during the photosynthesis of plants. Most of our food does contain carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are made up of simpler sugars, which supply the body with energy and contain fibers, which can best be described as indigestible carbohydrates. Fiber is a very important part of our diet, as it is essential for the functioning of a healthy digestive system. When we eat carbohydrates, the digestive system breaks them down into simple sugars that are absorbed into the bloodstream. Glucose is used as a direct source of energy by many of our organs and muscles. Fructose, i.e. fruit sugar, can only be utilized by the liver. And what many people don't know is that excessive fructose consumption increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, probably because fructose is more likely to be converted to fat. If, on the other hand, we consume too few carbohydrates, the liver converts fat into ketones and protein into glucose in order to maintain energy levels. That is why it is worth taking a look at how quickly the carbohydrate content of the food we eat is absorbed and how long it provides us with a source of energy.

Carbohydrates also play an essential role in the optimal functioning of the immune system and in maintaining proper metabolism and hormone balance. Carbohydrates are stored in the human body in the form of glycogen. Glycogen stores are found in larger quantities in the liver and muscles. The more fit someone is, the more glycogen stores they have.

Let's see what the term "Low and Slow" means. Well, the term Low refers to food with a low or lower carbohydrate content combined with the property of Slow, even though the given food is absorbed even more slowly in our body, which actually has a positive effect on the health of all of us. If, for example, you have problems maintaining optimal blood sugar levels, then it would be worthwhile to consume the "Low and Slow" type of carbohydrates, as they cause smaller fluctuations in your blood sugar levels and provide us with energy for longer.

D-life products, due to their galactomannan content (galactomannan is a natural fiber component found in the seeds of guar beans belonging to the buttercup family), ensure long-lasting, slow absorption, so thanks to the so-called "Low and Slow" effect, we experience a feeling of fullness for a longer time when consuming them . In addition, they have a pleasant taste, can be eaten at any time of the day, and their fiber content is higher than that of staple foods.

Well, in the 21st century, we have reached the point where many of us actually want to live healthy and feel good in our skin, and the fact that we have to pay attention to the quality of carbohydrates we consume also contributes to this.

What we should clarify is that in the case of carbohydrates we distinguish between simple and complex carbohydrates, but we can also say that there are good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates.

Simple carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates consist of one or two sugar molecules, so our body gets energy from them easily and quickly, which is not enough in the long term and indeed suddenly raises our blood sugar level, so it is quickly absorbed and provides us with energy for a short time. we can also say that we will not be well-fed from this type of carbohydrates for too long. Simple carbohydrates include, for example, fruit sugars and fine flour pastries. In fact, it is most important to consume simple carbohydrates, say after a good workout, when we most need a quick nutrient intake.

Complex carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates consist of several, longer sugar molecules, which means that digestion and breakdown take longer, and thanks to this, they provide our body with stable and long-lasting energy and do not suddenly raise our blood sugar levels, as they are slowly absorbed . So you can say that the term complex carbohydrate can even carry the term "slow" with it, since it is absorbed slowly and provides our body with energy for a longer time. Examples of complex carbohydrates are oatmeal, whole grain bakery products, buckwheat, millet and vegetables and our D-life flours.

Establishing a low-carbohydrate diet contributes to lowering and normalizing our blood sugar levels, thereby improving or even reversing type 2 diabetes. Actually, the design of a low-carbohydrate diet is based on reducing sugar and carbohydrate-rich foods.

Daily carbohydrate intake

It would be difficult to generalize what the daily carbohydrate requirement would be for whom, since the calculation of the daily carbohydrate requirement depends on many factors. Such as: age, gender, daily activity, weight, height, number and type of weekly training, how many hours we sleep and other other factors, such as certain diseases and hormonal conditions. As a starting point, it is advisable to aim for a daily amount of 2-3 grams per kilogram of body weight and increase or decrease the daily doses as needed.

One thing is for sure, every human body needs carbohydrates, just like proteins, and here too it is important to choose the right amount and type of carbohydrates at the right time to achieve our goals or just to maintain a healthy life, and for that, of course the best choice is to consume "Low and slow" carbohydrates, because they have the healthiest effect on our body. This is why our D-life company specifically deals with the production of this type of carbohydrates, which are the best source of carbohydrates for both diabetics and people who maintain their health. It is not fattening, is slowly absorbed, does not cause blood sugar fluctuations and provides a long-lasting source of energy for everyone, as well as its additional advantages: it contains 30 percent less carbohydrates than traditional bread and flour products, and its protein content is much higher than average, and our product line uses only natural materials , it is made without adding preservatives or sugar, the consumption of which is especially recommended for diabetics.

Remember! "Low and Slow" high-quality carbohydrates for everyone, which is also delicious! ;)

Written by Renáta Szabó, sports nutrition and hormonal nutrition expert