Carbohydrates: How To Use Them For Your Benefit

Carbohydrates are one of six macronutrients found in foods and drinks. The others are protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.

Nutrients are substances that your body requires to perform basic functions.

In most human diets, carbohydrates are a source of energy ◳.

The largest form in the diet is starch, which accounts for about two-thirds of digestible dietary carbohydrates.

The remaining third are sucrose, lactose, and their constituent monosaccharides.

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Simple And Complex Carbohydrates

There are two major types of carbohydrates in foods: simple and complex.

The difference between the two forms is the chemical structure and how quickly the sugar is absorbed and digested.

Simple carbohydrates are also called simple sugars.

You find them in refined sugars, like the white sugar you see in a sugar bowl. Simple carbs are abundant in candy, soda, and syrups.

Complex carbohydrates are also called starches.

Starches include grain products, such as bread, crackers, pasta, and rice. As with simple sugars, some complex carbohydrate foods are better choices than others.

The Function Of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrate is the only macronutrient with no established minimum requirement ◳ or daily requirements of intake.

Both diets of high or low carbohydrate intake are associated with increased mortality ◳.

When you eat carbs, your body breaks them down into simple sugars, which absorbs into the bloodstream.

As the sugar level rises in your body, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin.

The carbs in some foods, mostly those with a lot of simple sugars, make the blood sugar level rise more quickly than others.

Scientists have been studying whether eating foods that cause big jumps in blood sugar may be related to health problems like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

All Our Carbohydrate Categories

Carbohydrates In Food

Carbohydrates are the sugars, starches, and fibers found in fruits, grains, vegetables, and milk products.

You can find some more information about carbohydrates in What Are Carbohydrates By Difference? What Foods Can I Find It In?

Some research says that the amount of carbohydrate in the diet is less important than the type of carbohydrate you eat.

For instance, rye, barley, and quinoa are better choices than highly refined white bread or French fries.

Sugars In Foods

Sugars are simple carbohydrates that digest quickly.

Sugar occurs naturally in all foods that contain carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, grains, and dairy.

There are many different kinds of sugar.

Some might be better than others.

Learn more about some different kind of sugars there are and see if they have any benefits or side-effects that can interest you in Sugars: How To Use Them For Your Benefit

Starch In Food

Starch, especially cornstarch, is the most abundant and cheapest carbohydrate commercially available.

Starches are often used to thicken and stabilize foods such as gravies, sauces, and pie fillings.

Starches or resistant starches, which are best? Find out in our more about starches in Starches: How To Use Them For Your Benefit

Fibers In Food

Dietary fiber has been consumed for centuries and is recognized for having health benefits.

Soluble and insoluble fibers make up the two basic categories of dietary fiber.

If you are interested in learning more about fibers, insoluble and soluble, I recommend you to see what kind of articles we have on the subject in Fibers: How To Use Them For Your Benefit

Alcohol In Beverages And Foods

Alcoholic beverages are a type of beverage that is drunk all around the world.

Alcohol also exists in our everyday foods and drinks.

But the amount of alcohol present in food and drink is still much lower than the amount in alcoholic drinks.

You can find more information about alcohol in beverages and foods in Alcohol In Beverages And Food

Healthy wishes from us at,