Understanding The Different Types Of Carbohydrates
What are carbohydrates? What can they do for us? Carbohydrates are found in many foods and they serve a useful purpose. When ingested, carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars that fuel the body. These simple sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream. As sugar levels rise, insulin is released by the pancreas. The insulin then carries sugar from the blood to the cells, where the sugar becomes a major source of energy.
Carbohydrates exist in two forms: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates, or simple sugars, are found in refined sugar like white sugar that everyone is familiar with. Fruits and milk also contain simple carbohydrates. While simple carbohydrates are present in many sweets, these carbohydrates don’t contain vitamins, fiber, and important nutrients like calcium that are found in more nutritious foods.
In contrast, complex carbohydrates are known as starches. Starches are found in grain products like bread, crackers, pasta, and rice. Like simple carbohydrates, not all complex carbohydrates are ideal for the body. Refined grains such as white flour and white rice have fewer nutrients and fiber due to processing. On the other hand, unrefined grains contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber that aid the digestive system.
When carbohydrates are easily absorbed (which happens with simple sugars), you get hungry quickly. If this process happens slowly as with whole grains, it will take a while before you feel hungry again. In summary, complex carbohydrates give the body long-lasting energy.
Since foods that contain a lot of simple sugars tend to raise blood levels more quickly than others, researchers have yet to determine whether these foods may be responsible for certain health problems like diabetes and heart disease that affect millions of people worldwide. To be on the safe side, try to limit your intake of simple sugars like sweets and eat more complex carbohydrates found in vegetables, oatmeal, and whole-grain wheat bread. That way, you stay healthy and happy.
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