Head and legs !

Brain fuel !

Recent studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of carbohydrates on our moods and memory.

Foods rich in carbohydrates, containing a sufficient amount of glucose, have the potential to improve our short-term memory and some aspects of our long-term memory.
Studies also reveal that children who eat breakfasts rich in carbohydrates perform better at memory tests.

Glucose is cell fuel required by the body on a permanent basis.

Sports and energy

Carbohydrates are a vital source of energy for the body and play an important part in the diet of athletes.

The types of food eaten by athletes and their levels of muscular glycogen (glycogen is stored glucose) are essential at every stage of an endurance exercise, for example.

- During training and before the exercise : food rich in carbohydrates with a low glycaemic index increases stored muscular glycogen levels
- A few hours before the exercise : a hyperglucidic meal with a low glycaemic index improves endurance
- Less than half an hour before the exercise : carbohydrates with medium to high glycaemic indexes (glucose, sucrose) increase endurance levels and delay feelings of fatigue
- During the first six hours after the exercise : Athletes are advised to eat foods with high glycaemic indexes to replace their reserves of muscular glycogen.