Carbohydrates are the most abundant organic compounds found in living organisms. They originate from photosynthesis and provide a key source of energy. There are two major types of carbohydrates: simple carbohydrates like sugar and refined grains, and complex carbohydrates like vegetables, whole grains, and starchy foods. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose which is used by cells for energy, with insulin regulating blood sugar levels. Dietary carbohydrates affect health, with complex, high-fiber sources being most beneficial.

1. Carbohydrates
Carbohydratesare the mostabundantclass of organiccompoundsfoundinlivingorganisms.They
originate asproductsof photosynthesis,anendothermicreductivecondensationof carbondioxide
requiringlightenergyandthe pigment chlorophyll.
Foodshighinsimple carbohydratesinclude fruits,sweetsandsoftdrinks.Foodshighincomplex
carbohydratesinclude breads,pastas,beans, potatoes, bran,rice,andcereals.The mostcommon
complex carbohydrate inthese foodsis starch.Carbohydratesare the mostcommonsource of energyin
livingorganisms.Proteinsandfatare necessarybuildingcomponentsforbody tissue andcells,andare
alsoa source of energyformost organisms.
Two Types of Carbohydrates
There are twomajor typesof carbohydrates(orcarbs) in foods:simple andcomplex.
Simple carbohydrates: These are alsocalledsimple sugars.Simple sugarsare foundinrefinedsugars,
like the white sugaryou'dfindina sugar bowl.If youhave a lollipop,you're eatingsimple carbs.But
you'll alsofindsimple sugarsinmore nutritiousfoods,suchasfruit andmilk.It'sbetterto getyour
simple sugarsfromfoodlike fruitandmilk.Why?Because theycontainvitamins,fiber,andimportant
nutrientslike calcium.A lollipopdoesnot.
Complexcarbohydrates: These are alsocalledstarches.Starchesinclude grainproducts,suchasbread,
crackers,pasta, and rice.Aswithsimple sugars,some complex carbohydrate foodsare betterchoices
than others.Refined(say:ree-find)grains,suchaswhite flourandwhite rice,have beenprocessed,
whichremovesnutrients andfiber.Butunrefinedgrainsstill containthese vitaminsandminerals.
Unrefinedgrainsalsoare richin fiber,whichhelpsyourdigestive systemworkwell.Fiberhelpsyoufeel
full,soyouare lesslikelytoovereatthese foods.Thatexplainswhyabowl of oatmeal fillsyouupbetter
than sugarycandy that hasthe same amountof caloriesas the oatmeal.
How the Body UsesCarbohydrates
Whenyoueat carbs, the bodybreaksthemdownintosimple sugars,whichare absorbedintothe
bloodstream.Asthe sugarlevel risesinyourbody,the pancreasreleasesa hormone calledinsulin.
Insulinisneededtomove sugarfromthe bloodintothe cells,where the sugarcan be usedas a source
of energy.Whenthisprocessgoesfast — aswithsimple sugars — you're more likelytofeel hungryagain
soon.Whenit occurs more slowly,aswithawhole-grainfood,you'll be satisfiedlonger.These typesof
complex carbohydratesgive youenergyoveralongerperiodof time.
The carbs insome foods(mostlythose thatcontainalot of simple sugars) cause the bloodsugarlevel to
rise more quicklythanothers.Scientistshave beenstudyingwhethereatingfoodsthatcause bigjumps
inbloodsugar may be relatedtohealthproblemslike diabetesandheartdisease.You're probably
alreadyonthe righttrack if you are limitingsimple sugars(suchascandy) and eatingmore complex
carbohydrates(like vegetables,oatmeal,andwhole-grainwheatbread).

2. Sources ofCarbohydrates
The bestsourcesof carbohydrates—whole grains, vegetables,fruitsandbeans—promote goodhealth
by deliveringvitamins,minerals, fiber,anda hostof importantphytonutrients. Easilydigestedrefined
carbohydratesfromwhite bread,white rice andotherrefinedgrains,pastries, sugaredsodas,andother
highlyprocessedfoodsmaycontributeto weightgain,interfere withweightloss,andpromote diabetes
and heartdisease.
Functionsof Carbohydrates
Carbohydratesplayamajor role inpromotingyourhealthfitness.Theyformamajor part of your food
and helpa greatdeal inbuildingyourbodystrength,bygeneratingenergy.Infact,theyare one among
the three prominentmacronutrientsthatserve asexcellentenergyproviders,the othertwobeingfats
and proteins.Carbsintake cantake place indifferentformslike sugar,starch,fibersetc.Readfurtherto
explore informationaboutcarbohydrates functioninthe body…
The functionsof carbohydratesare multiple anditisowingtothisfact that itbecomesall the more
necessarytoincorporate carbohydratesinyourmeal.Forinstantenergygeneration,sugarsandstarch
act as the perfectfuel that enable youtocarry outyour physical activitiesefficientlyandeffectively.
Fiberdoeswondersinkeepingyourbowel functiongoingsmooth.
Talkingaboutthe importance of carbohydrates,apartfromits directbenefits,there isalsoanadded
advantage of carbs consumptionandthatis that carbs are foundindifferentfoods,whichif eaten,also
pave wayfor consumingotheressential nutrients.Therefore,itispreferable togoinfor distinctive
carbohydrate foodsources.
Carbohydratesaddonto the taste and appearance of fooditem, thusmakingthe dishtemptingand
mouthwatering.Theyare sometimesusedasflavorsandsweeteners.Carbsaidinregulatingblood
glucose andalsodo goodto your bodyby breakingdownfattyacids,thuspreventingketosis.So,eat
plentyof foodsthatare rich sourcesof carbs, butit isrecommendedtogoin fornatural slow digesting
carbs.
What can happen ifyou dont eat a lot of carbohydrates?
Your bodywon’thave enoughenergyorfuel torun on,so your bodywouldslowly breakdown.Most
foodshave carbs and if youdon't have a certainamountof carbs, youwouldbe eatingsmallerportions.
That leadsintogettingmajorheadachesandfeelingsick.Be sure toeatsmallerfrequentmealswithlow
carbs and nutritiousfoods.

3. Importance of Carbohydrates
Carbohydratesare our mainsource of energyandprovide the ideal fuel (glucose) foryourbodyto
functionoptimally,aswell asmanyessential vitaminsandminerals.Theyare alsothe onlyformof
energyusedbythe brain.
Withoutadequate carbohydrates:
Muscle tissue breakdownwill occur,fatigue will setin,andbrainpowerwill diminish.
The body will gointoketosisandif weightlossdoesoccur,itwill come fromprimarilywaterandlean
tissue.The real dangerinketosisisthatketonesare acidic,andhighlevelsof ketonesmake the blood
abnormallyacid.
In additiontothe medical consequences,there are some practical onesaswell nausea,moodswings,
weakness, dizziness,badbreath,anddepressionmayalsosetin as a resultof carbohydrate restriction.