7 signs your body tells you that you're consuming too much bread

It is estimated that the average american eats 53 pounds of bread per year. The reason is simply because bread is delicious, convenient, and can be easily transported anywhere.

However, like most things that are delicious, consuming too much bread has its negative effects on the body. And when our body is at disease, it sends signals so we can take care of the problem.

So here are 7 common signs that tell you you should take care of your bread consumption and cut it down.

1. You are getting constipated

People who are sensitive to gluten or have Celiac disease but are unaware of it might constantly feel bloated after meals. Not only that, they also have trouble going to the bathroom since their gut feels blocked. You may sensitive to gluten but have a high sensitivity it comes to wheat and other grains. The best thing to do in this case is to take a series of tests with your doctor so you can see whether gluten is harming you.

2. You get hungrier often

It’s true that highly refined grains, such as white bread, rice, pretzels, and crackers are high in calories. And the way they work is to make you want to eat more due to their high sugar content. That’s why when you feel extra sad or stressed, you reach for those refined grains that will momentarily lift your mood up.

You can fix this by converting to whole grain products. A study showed that whole grain products can help you lose belly fat faster than refined grains, simply because they contain more vitamins and minerals.

3. Your cholesterol levels increase

Your usual oven-baked bread might not be responsible for your cholesterol increase, but baked goods such as croissants, butter rolls, and all kinds of packaged bread goods are. These foods contain a lot of eggs and butter that can increase your cholesterol if consumed regularly.

4. You may have skin issues

Once again, refined grains are the culprit for other problems you might be facing. Foods like pasta, white rice, noodles, cereal, and all things made with white flour can cause skin issues. As one study showed, people who consumed too many refined carbs had a 30% greater risk of developing acne. This is mainly because these products are high in sugar, something that increases your insulin levels.

5. You get very tired after meals

When you consume too much bread, high amounts of insulin are released into your bloodstream. The insulin helps tryptophan stay in your blood for longer than you’d want. Tryptophan is an amino acid that helps produce serotonin and melatonin, 2 neurotransmitters that help stabilize your mood. They also promote sleep and help regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

6. Your blood pressure increases

9 out of 10 americans consume more salt than advised mainly due to bread in its various forms. One slice of bread can contain up to 230 mg of salt, which is 15% of the upper daily limit. A sandwich will have double that amount. Highly processed foods like pizza, bread rolls, croutons, and sandwiches increase the amount of sodium even more.

The result of high sodium intake is a spike in blood pressure, which is the cause for many people suffering from heart disease and strokes. And when we’re talking about the U.S, the average american is consuming much more salt than what is recommended by the CDC.

7. Your mood swings and have ups and downs

Bread has the ability to cause many highs in mood due to its high sugar content, but these highs are followed by crashes as well. A study has shown that if refined grains are not digested properly, their compounds can reach someone’s brain and cause some types of mental problems. There is also evidence that people who are sensitive to wheat are more prone to suffer from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.

Did you recognize any of the above signs in you? If so, do you think your bread consumption is responsible for it?

Photo credits: BrightSide