Did you know... (quick science on carbs)

Carbohydrates (carbs) store water at a rate of about 3 to 4 grams of water for every 1 gram of carbohydrate stored as glycogen in your muscles and liver, a process crucial for energy. This means a significant amount of water weight can fluctuate with carb intake, causing rapid weight changes when you start or stop low-carb diets, as your body releases or stores this water along with the glycogen. 

How It Works:

1. Glycogen Storage: When you eat more carbs than your body immediately needs, it converts the excess into glycogen for later energy.

2. Water Binding: Each molecule of glycogen binds with several water molecules (around 3-4) to be stored in the liver and muscles.

3. Water Weight Fluctuations:

   • High Carb Intake: Leads to more glycogen stored, thus more water retained, causing higher body weight.

   • Low Carb Intake: Your body uses up glycogen stores for energy, releasing the bound water and leading to quick weight loss (water weight). 

In Summary: The 3:1 or 4:1 water-to-carb ratio explains why you might see big weight shifts on the scale when you change your diet, even without significant fat loss or gain.