We all love our carbs, which can be found in the best foods such as pizza, doughnuts, burgers, and pasta; all our favourite comfort foods.
Unfortunately, eating too many carbohydrates can be very bad for us -they can make us puffy, put on weight and retain water. It is not all bad though, as some stored carbs play a role in providing energy between meals.
Some of the carbs consumed are stored in the form of glycogen, which can lead to water retention. Glycogen is stored in the liver and muscles where it can turn into glucose which provides energy when needed. The problem is that these molecules contain water – the more glycogen you store the more water you retain in the process. This is one of the reasons that individuals who go on a carbohydrate-restricted diet initially seem to lose weight; it is actually water that they are losing via loss of muscle glycogen.
Healthy complex carbs such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables do not necessarily result in less retention than simple carbs, because it is about how the carbs are stored in the body as glycogen that impacts on how much water is retained. Processed carbs though generally have a higher sodium content, which could enhance the amount of water retained.
“Sodium helps regulate the levels of water in your body. As a result, the total amount of sodium (salt) you consume has an impact on whether you retain or eliminate water. As you eat more salt, your body holds onto more water. If you have too much sodium in your system, your body retains water,” according to accredited practising dietitian and performance dietitian.
Strangely enough, one of the best ways to get rid of retained water is to drink more water, as water helps your liver convert fat into usable energy, and ensuring that you are well-hydrated can actually reduce water retention.
The best water to drink is filtered water from a water cooler; water cooler water is chilled, toxin-free and also tastes great so you will drink more.
