Tag: Protein sparing effect

A 2025 Mayo Clinic article highlights that dietary fiber, a type of carbohydrate, helps protect against type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. But the question, 'Do carbohydrates provide protection?' has a more complex answer that extends beyond fiber, covering cellular integrity, muscle mass, and brain function.

According to nutritional science, your body will instinctively turn to carbohydrates and fats for fuel before breaking down its precious protein stores. This vital metabolic process is what is known as the protein-sparing effect, which is fundamental for maintaining lean muscle mass and tissue integrity.

While proteins are the foundational building blocks for repair, your body's recovery process operates on a complex energy budget. So, do carbohydrates repair body tissue directly? No, but they play a non-negotiable supportive role, without which your body's ability to heal and rebuild is severely compromised.