Carbohydrates and brain function

The human brain is the most complex physical entity in the universe.

Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE wrote about carbohydrates and brain function:

“

It’s estimated that when fueled by carbohydrates, the brain needs roughly 110-145 grams of glucose (from the breakdown of carbs you eat) per day in order to function optimally. Most people who follow a typical modern-day high-carb diet eat roughly twice as many carbs as their brains use, providing them with an ample glucose supply. What happens if you eat far fewer than 110 grams of carbs per day, or even no carbs at all? Does the brain starve? Absolutely not! Your liver and muscles store glucose in the form of glycogen. Although the amount varies from person to person, an average-sized man weighing 154 lbs (70 kg) stores about 100 grams of glycogen in his liver. When you stop eating carbs for several hours, liver glycogen is broken down into glucose and released into the bloodstream to prevent blood glucose from dropping too low. Although far more glycogen is stored in your muscles than in your liver, it remains in the muscles to meet their energy needs and can’t be released into the bloodstream to raise blood glucose. After going 24-48 hours without any carbs, glycogen levels become depleted and insulin levels decrease (this happens much faster with high-intensity exercise). At this point, the liver steps up its production of water-soluble compounds known as ketones, created by the breakdown of fatty acids. Ketones can be made from either the fat you eat or your body’s fat stores. The resulting ketones can cross the blood-brain barrier to provide the brain with an additional source of energy. This means there’s another fuel source available for the brain when the body runs low on stored carbohydrates. The brain always requires some glucose. However, researchers have shown that for some individuals following a strict ketogenic diet, ketones can be used to meet up to 70% of the brain’s energy needs. For the remainder of the brain’s energy requirement, your liver can make all the glucose needed through a process known as gluconeogenesis (literally “making new glucose”).

”

Low carbohydrate diet and staving off and/or reversing the effect of aging on the brain function

French fries are a high carbohydrate food.

According to Healthline.com's 2017 article The 15 Unhealthiest Junk Foods in America: "In spite of their popularity, these deep-fried potatoes are very unhealthy."

Stony Brook University reported in 2020 concerning carbohydrates and brain function:

“

A diet low in carbohydrates could stave off, or even reverse, the effects of aging on the brain, Stony Brook-led research finds. A study using neuroimaging led by Stony Brook University professor and lead author Lilianne R. Mujica-Parodi, PhD, and published in PNAS, reveals that neurobiological changes associated with aging can be seen at a much younger age than would be expected, in the late 40s. But the study also suggests that this process may be prevented or reversed based on dietary changes that involve minimizing the consumption of simple carbohydrates. Even in younger adults, under age 50, dietary ketosis (whether achieved after one week of dietary change or 30 minutes after drinking ketones) increased overall brain activity and stabilized functional networks.

”

Chronic consumption of refined carbohydrates is associated with relative neurocognitive deficits across the lifespan of individuals

Chronic consumption of refined carbohydrates is associated with relative neurocognitive deficits across the lifespan of individuals.

See also

• Carbohydrate-insulin model
• Consumption of ultra-processed foods and health risks
• Nutritional science
• Academic performance and nutrition
• Food science
• Comfort food