Introduction
Carbohydrates are required by the body as a major source of energy. Although they are often maligned, carbohydrates are a necessary part of a balanced diet and contribute to a healthy body. Carbohydrates exist in two forms, simple and complex. While they are derived from different sources and each has drawbacks, both types of carbohydrates are important to the body.
Two Types of Carbohydrates
Simple carbohydrates are also known as simple sugars. Foods such as white sugar and candies that contain refined sugar are a source of simple carbohydrates. Healthy foods such as fruit and milk also contain simple carbohydrates, along with other important vitamins and minerals. Therefore, it is more nutritious to acquire simple carbohydrates through healthy food containing natural sugars rather then items containing refined sugars.
Complex carbohydrates are also called starches. Complex carbohydrates are found in unprocessed grains, such as oatmeal and brown rice, which contain fiber and other nutrients vital to the body.
Function in the Body
Carbohydrates work in the body by being broken down into sugars. This is done by the liver, which transforms the carbohydrates into glucose, also known as blood sugar. The bloodstream then absorbs these sugars, which cause the pancreas to produce insulin. The bloodstream then transports the sugar with the assistance of insulin into the cells, where it is metabolized and converted into energy. Simple carbohydrates cause this to occur rapidly, which leads to feeling hungry more quickly. Complex carbohydrates take longer to digest, which leads to feeling fuller for an extended time. If more carbohydrates are consumed than needed, the body stores them in the form of fat as a future energy source.
The glycemic index is used to measure how quickly different types of carbohydrates are absorbed by the body and how high they raise blood sugar levels. This is important in helping to understand what types of carbohydrates are more beneficial to eat than others. If a food has a low glycemic index score, it is absorbed more slowly by the body and is therefore a good source of energy. Conversely, a high glycemic index score indicates a food is absorbed rapidly and may not be as nutritious.
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