What about women? Are carbohydrates suitable for breakfast?

The research team at Waterloo University in Canada built a large-scale computer model based on decades of accumulated data to precisely analyze metabolic differences by gender. This model simulates the metabolic pathways of various human organs, especially the liver, muscles, and adipose tissue, and through this, it specifically predicts the post-meal metabolic responses of men and women.
 
The researchers set up diets rich in carbohydrates and fats to investigate how men and women process different nutrients during breakfast. As a result, men exhibited higher metabolic rates, faster stabilization of blood sugar levels, and improved overall energy utilization when consuming carbohydrate-rich breakfasts. Conversely, women showed more efficient energy metabolism when consuming fat-rich meals, as their livers converted fats into glycerol and rapidly used them as an energy source.
 
In particular, the study focused on differences in energy storage and utilization in the liver according to gender. Men tend to store and use carbohydrates more prominently in the liver, while women are more inclined to obtain energy through fat metabolism pathways. This was analyzed to be because women store glycogen in the liver for a longer period and burn more fat for energy during fasting states. Additionally, the study found that fat metabolism in women is more activated after exercise. The researchers explained, "This is likely due to the physiological mechanisms in women that prepare for changes such as pregnancy and breastfeeding."
 
Dr. Anita T. Layton, the lead author of the study, stated that this research provides important clues for developing personalized nutritional strategies based on gender. Women tend to store more fat, but they burn fat quickly during fasting, while men have a higher ability to regulate blood sugar more rapidly after carbohydrate intake, leading the researchers to conclude that a carbohydrate-based diet is more advantageous.
 
However, the carbohydrate foods referred to here do not mean processed carbohydrates like white rice, bread, or noodles, but rather healthy, fiber-rich carbohydrates such as whole wheat bread, oatmeal, and grains. Additionally, when we say fat foods, we are not referring to saturated fats like bacon, but to beneficial unsaturated fats found in foods like avocados, nuts, and olive oil.

Article = Jo Su-wan, HiDoc Health and Medical Reporter (hidoceditor@mcircle.biz)