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Carbs and water retention

fit_elliex
fit_elliex Posts: 32 Member
edited December 2024 in Social Groups
Morning all :wink:

Can someone please send me in a right direction to educate myself with carbs and water retention?

I've read somewhere that carbs are like a sponge - just hold on to water. I was on LCHF for a couple of weeks and lost about 7lbs which made me happy :smiley: Then a couple of nights ago I went out to friends house and she offered me something with carbs in it. I didn't think it will hurt me and didn't want to be rude so I ate it. The next morning I put on 3lbs! and this morning that gain is still sticking! :neutral:

I'm disappointed with myself a little but still back on track, hoping it's only water retention and it will go in few days time.

So can you please explain to me or send me a link about carbs and water retention?

Thank you and have a great weekend all! :smiley:

Replies

  • Working2BLean
    Working2BLean Posts: 386 Member
    Water is the medium carbs are carried in. So when you drop weight by lowering you carb intake, initially it is your body burning off glycogen you have stored, basicslly sugar water. So you lose lots of water weight because as the sugar gets burned off your body does not need that water that was carrying it

    If you eat a bunch of carbs, they are stored in water. So you instantly gain more weight back than would seem logical

    Dont freak

    Get back on plan and it will self correct. Nothing to worry about.

  • fit_elliex
    fit_elliex Posts: 32 Member
    edited May 2016
    Thank you - that's what I thought :smile:

    Your explanation is very clear x
  • Foamroller
    Foamroller Posts: 1,041 Member
    edited May 2016
    In order to create the energycurrency cells use, the body has to breakdown macros into ATP. When breaking down starches, the body has to use more water molecules than when using fatty acids as energy. Meaning, having a constant intake of a higher number of carbohydrates "binds" more water. I'm not quite sure the exact number of water molecules, but I've seen 2 or 3 water molecules per glucose molecule.

    Fatty acids are hydrophobic and energydense = less water needed and creates more energy!

    It's all about biochemistry.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbohydrate_catabolism
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_oxidation
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid_cycle

    You can check the references for studies if you want.
  • fit_elliex
    fit_elliex Posts: 32 Member
    Wow! Thank you so much!
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