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Effects of Simple Carbohydrates on Cholesterol

Cholesterol is affected by many factors, including the amount of saturated fats, trans fats, alcohol and simple carbohydrates you've ingested. Simple carbohydrates in particular affect your triglycerides level.

  1. Effects

    • Simple carbohydrates, like white bread, white potatoes, white rice, and anything with sugar, dramatically influence triglyceride levels. One binge on simple carbohydrates can cause triglyceride levels to rise.

    Triglycerides

    • Triglycerides are fatty compounds that are stored and circulate in your blood. A high triglycerides count can harm your blood vessels. Triglycerides can be deposited along the walls of your blood vessels as plaque, preventing your blood from flowing properly.

    LDL and HDL

    • Lowering your LDL ("bad" cholesterol) can also lower your HDL ("good" cholesterol), which is not beneficial. When you replace your fat intake with simple carbohydrates, but still take in the same number of calories, your HDL level can fall as much as 20 percent, according to "Beyond Cholesterol" by Dr. Julius Torelli & George Ryan.

    Insulin Resistance

    • Eating a diet high in simple carbohydrates can lead to obesity, and, eventually, insulin resistance. Insulin resistance means your insulin cannot metabolize glucose properly. Insulin resistance leads to a buildup of glucose in the blood and is accompanied by elevated triglyceride levels.

    Metabolic Syndrome

    • If your diet is high in simple carbohydrates, it can raise your blood sugar and triglyceride levels and can contribute to obesity. These factors, along with low HDL, or "good" cholesterol, levels and high blood pressure, can cause metabolic syndrome, a combination of factors that double your risk for heart disease.

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