“Prof. Tim Noakes says carbohydrates are not essential for human consumption.”

In this video, Professor Tim Noakes clarifies that carbohydrates are not essential for human metabolism and that a diet high in them can lead to chronic health issues. He explains that consuming more than 5 grams of glucose at a time causes a spike in blood glucose, which the body tries to clear by secreting insulin.

This chronic high insulin level can lead to insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin. Insulin resistance is a key driver of chronic diseases, as it inhibits the body’s ability to burn fat for fuel. In this video Professor Tim Noakes shares his own experience of developing type 2 diabetes despite being a long-distance runner, attributing it to a high-carbohydrate diet and family history.

Professor Noakes argues that type 2 diabetes is a “state of carbohydrate toxicity” and can be reversible by significantly reducing carbohydrate intake. By lowering carbs, insulin levels drop, allowing the body to burn fat, which can lead to weight loss, normalised blood glucose, and a reduction in inflammation. He suggests that those with pre-diabetes or diabetes should consider reducing their carbohydrate intake to as low as 50 grams or even less per day.