Carbs are actually healthy and beneficial, here's why your body needs them post-workout

A light workout like a quick walk or stretching session during the lunch break, may not need you to consume carbs immediately afterwards, but a strenuous workout does. The body's preferred energy source for high-intensity activity is glycogen, so it is likely that your exercise has consumed your glycogen stores. 

The loss of glycogen in the muscles leads to muscle breakdown. In order to help the body recover and rebuild, carbohydrates are crucial. After a workout, carbs help your body release insulin, which restores glycogen stores that you just used. When carbs are combined with protein, they accomplish this job even better. Proteins and carbs work together to boost glycogen storage.

Benefits of Post-Workout Carbs

Macronutrient carbs are essential for recuperation after exercise. Here are four reasons why you should feel okay about tucking into a plate of potatoes or a bowl of pasta post a hard workout.

Also Read: Five Exercises To Increase Height Without Joining A Gym

1. Carbs Help Prevent Post-Workout Fatigue

You may feel as if you are running on fumes after exhausting your glycogen stores because the body prefers to use it as energy during heavy activity. You can bounce back faster with less fatigue when you add carbohydrates back into your system. Researchers also suggest that eating carbohydrates after exercise improves endurance capacity in subsequent workouts. A high-carb snack today may result in improved performance tomorrow.

2. Carbs Help Blood Sugar Control

If you are exercising, your blood sugar is likely to dip. If you want to boost your glucose levels, don't hesitate to pick up a carbohydrate-rich snack. This can prevent unpleasant hypoglycaemic symptoms like shakiness, headache, brain fog, and rapid heartbeat.

3. Carbs Promote Muscle Recovery

It is common to believe that protein is the only macronutrient that builds muscle, but carbohydrates play a critical role as well. In addition to helping amino acids reach muscles more quickly, carbohydrates also increase protein synthesis and decrease protein breakdown, which promotes faster recovery and growth.

4. Carbs Help Reduce Cortisol

Low blood sugar triggers an increase in cortisol, also known as "the stress hormone." Refilling your carbohydrate reserves to maintain a constant blood sugar level may have the concomitant impact of lowering cortisol levels.

It is a healthy choice to eat carbohydrates (in combination with protein) after a workout to promote recovery, repair and rebuild muscles, and replenish glycogen.