Are Carbs Bad for Muscle Building? (Expert Answer)

Short Answer: Carbohydrates are good for muscle building. Because they have glucose and fiber, and they can provide energy, prevent muscle breakdown, and enhance protein synthesis.

Muscle building is a goal that many people have, especially those who engage in strength training or resistance exercises.

Muscle building is the process of increasing the size and strength of your skeletal muscles, which are the muscles that you can voluntarily control.

In muscle building, your body creates new muscle fibers by repairing the micro-tears that occur in your existing muscle tissue when you exercise.

This can lead to various health benefits, such as improved metabolism, bone density, posture, and physical performance.

One of the key factors in muscle building is diet.

What you consume can affect your protein synthesis, which is the rate at which your body creates new muscle proteins.

It can also impact your energy levels, recovery, and overall health.

To effectively build muscle, you should consume protein-rich foods like lean meats, eggs, dairy, and legumes, and avoid protein-deficient foods like refined grains, sweets, and alcohol.

Protein is the main building block of muscle, and it provides the amino acids that your body needs to repair and grow muscle tissue.

Now, carbohydrates are the sugars, starches, and fibers that are found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and other foods.

People usually eat carbohydrates to provide energy for their daily activities and workouts.

Carbohydrates are good for muscle building because they contain glucose, which is the preferred fuel source for your muscles.

Glucose can be stored as glycogen in your muscles and liver, and used as energy when you exercise.

Glucose can also stimulate insulin, which is a hormone that helps transport amino acids into your muscle cells.

One cup of cooked brown rice can give you about 45 grams of carbohydrates (15% of your daily needs), 5 grams of protein (10% of your daily needs), and 2 grams of fiber (8% of your daily needs).

Glucose can positively affect muscle building by providing energy, preventing muscle breakdown, and enhancing protein synthesis.

Fiber can positively affect muscle building by improving digestion, blood sugar control, and satiety.

Furthermore, carbohydrates are a macronutrient and macronutrients are good for muscle building.

Because, they provide the calories that your body needs to support your metabolism, growth, and activity.

You can eat about 3 to 5 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight per day safely.

More than that can cause weight gain, bloating, and high blood sugar.

Also, you shouldn’t eat carbohydrates if you have diabetes or prediabetes to prevent hyperglycemia.

Because, high blood sugar can damage your nerves, blood vessels, and organs.

You can buy fresh or dried carbohydrates in your local market or can order them online.

Always choose whole-grain, unprocessed, and organic carbohydrates.

Because, they have more nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants than refined, processed, and conventional carbohydrates.

You can store them in a cool, dry, and dark place for up to 6 months.

Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and essential medical care is key to building muscle effectively.

I always recommend my muscle-building clients to follow a high-protein, moderate-carbohydrate, and low-fat diet to improve their muscle mass, strength, and fitness.

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About the Author

Abdur Rahman Choudhury

Abdur Rahman Choudhury is a nutritionist in West Bengal, India, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biochemistry.

He has done his diploma in nutrition from Fabulous Body Inc (US), and completed various certification courses from several universities. He also has considerable research experience in PCOS.

Abdur currently lives in India and keeps fit by weight training and eating mainly home-cooked meals.

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