The things we eat and drink on a daily basis can impact our health in big ways. Too many carbohydrates, for instance, can lead to insulin resistance, which is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes. But what are carbs, exactly? And what do they do to our bodies? Richard J. Wood explains.

1. FILE 1 A FOOD AND COOKING
How do carbohydrates impact your health? - Richard J. Wood
The things we eat and drink on a daily basis can impact our health in big ways. Too
many carbohydrates, for instance, can lead to insulin resistance, which is a major
contributor to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes. But what are carbs,
exactly? And what do they do to our bodies? Richard J. Wood explains.
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-carbohydrates-impact-your-health-richard-j-
wood
<iframe width="854" height="450"
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wxzc_2c6GMg" frameborder="0"
allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
1.- Glucose, fructose and galactose are all types of:
A Monosaccharides
B Disaccharides
C Polysaccharides
D Oligosaccharides
2.- In starches, the glucose units are joined together by:
A Oligosaccharides
B Peptide bonds
C Alpha bonds
D Beta bonds
3.- Which of these foods would have the lowest glycemic index?
A Crackers
B White bread
C Rice

2. D Scrambled eggs
4.- Which hormone is largely responsible for facilitating the movement of glucose out
of the blood and into the body's cells?
A Testosterone
B Estrogen
C Glucagon
D Insulin
5.- What is thought to be the underlying cause of metabolic syndrome?
A Insulin sensitivity
B Insulin resistance
C High blood cholesterol
D Cigarette smoking
6.- Describe how the digestive system responds differently to foods high in starchy
carbohydrates with and without fiber as part of the same meal.
7.- How might glycemic index be used to help people achieve better control of their
blood glucose?
8.- Why do foods like meat, cheese, and eggs have the lowest glycemic index?
Interested in knowing more about the glycemic index? The glycemic index is a
ranking system that depicts the glycemic response (change in blood glucose) caused
by a food. The index was originally created to help people with Type 2
Diabetes make better food choices, but has been used in many additional settings
including cardiovascular health and sports performance. The glycemic index of a
food can vary depending on meal composition, cooking or processing measures,
ripeness, etc. Furthermore, the glycemic index does not take in to account the
amount of food chosen (i.e. a bite of white bread and an entire loaf of white bread

3. has the same glycemic index). As such, an additional system called the "glycemic
load" was subsequently created. This system takes into account both the glycemic
index of a food and the amount of a food eaten.
Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of symptoms that increase your risk of
developing cardiovascular disease or Type 2 diabetes. The underlying cause of
metabolic syndrome is thought to be insulin resistance. The prevalence of metabolic
syndrome is increasing significantly world-wide. There are five diagnostic criteria
for metabolic syndrome:
1.Fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL
2.Blood pressure ≥130/≥85 or taking a medication to lower blood pressure
3.Waist circumference ≥35 inches for women or ≥40 inches in men
4.Triglycerides (fat in your blood) ≥150 mg/dL
5.HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) ≤50 for women or ≤40 in men
Insulin resistance is a condition where the body makes insulin, but the tissues
response to that insulin is blunted. Insulin resistance is thought to be the
underlying cause of metabolic syndrome, and is a hallmark of Type 2 Diabetes.
Insulin resistance can lead to weight gain and disruptions in blood-fat levels
("triglycerides") and good cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol).
DISCUSS
Have the dietary guidelines published in many countries around the world helped
improve the carbohydrate consumption in target populations?