Carbohydrates
Guerra, Ralph Jensen
Ferrer, Louiesean Joyce
What are CARBOHYDRATES?
Carbohydrates are one of the main types of nutrients. They are
the most important source of energy for your body. Your
digestive system changes carbohydrates into glucose (blood
sugar). Your body uses this sugar for energy for your cells,
tissues and organs. It stores any extra sugar in your liver and
muscles for when it is needed.
Carbohydrates are called simple or complex, depending on their
chemical structure. Simple carbohydrates include sugars found
naturally in foods such as fruits, vegetables, milk, and milk
products. They also include sugars added during food processing and refining. Complex
carbohydrates include whole grain breads and cereals, starchy vegetables and legumes. Many of the
complex carbohydrates are good sources of fiber.
What are the functions of CARBOHYDRATES?
There are five primary functions of carbohydrates in the human body. They are energy production,
energy storage, building macromolecules, sparing protein,
and assisting in lipid metabolism.
Difference between SIMPLE AND COMPLEX
CARBOHYDRATES?
Complex carbohydrates take longer to digest and are a
more stable source of energy than simple carbohydrates.
Complex carbohydrates are present in foods such as bread
and pasta. Simple carbohydrates are in foods such as table
sugar and syrups.
Beneficial effects of CARBOHYDRATES
Regular intake of healthy carbohydrates such as whole
grains, fruits, and dairy products can help fuel exercise
sessions, maintain healthy blood sugar, fuel your brain to function at its highest level of efficiency and
give your body energy to burn fat for weight loss. When too little carbohydrate is eaten in a low
carbohydrate diet, rapid weight loss is often a result of the body breaking down protein in muscle
tissue and, consequently, water weight is the main component of dramatic drops on the scale.
Though carbohydrates containing food groups boast a host of vitamins and minerals needed by the
body, eating any food group in excess can result in weight gain. Consulting with your physician or
registered dietitian can help you determine the amount of carbohydrate best for your health goals and
existing health conditions.
Sources of Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are found in a wide array of both healthy and unhealthy foods—bread, beans, milk,
popcorn, potatoes, cookies, spaghetti, soft drinks, corn, and cherry pie. They also come in a variety of
forms. The most common and abundant forms are sugars, fibers, and starches.
Effects of Carbohydrates
The most common side effects that are
experienced when restricting carbohydrates are:
Headache
Bad breath
Weakness
Fatigue
Constipation or diarrhea
How can Carbohydrates lead to diabetes?
Because the body turns carbohydrates into glucose, eating carbohydrates makes blood sugar levels
rise. But that doesn't mean you should avoid carbohydrates if you have diabetes. Carbohydrates are
a healthy and important part of a nutritious diet.
Some carbohydrates have more health benefits than others, though. For example, whole-grain foods
and fruits are healthier choices than candy and soda because they provide fiber, vitamins, and other
nutrients.
Fiber is important because it helps you feel full and keeps your digestive system working properly. In
fact, eating lots of fiber can even help to slow the body's absorption of sugar when eaten together
with sugar in the same food. Everyone needs fiber, and most people don't get enough. Some experts
think that people with diabetes should eat more fiber than people without diabetes to help control
blood sugar.
Sugary foods, like soda and candy, don't usually have fiber and typically contain "empty calories."
That means they have calories but little nutritional value, and eating too many of them might leave
little room for healthy foods. Eating too many empty-calorie foods can also make a person more likely
to be overweight or obese. These foods can also cause tooth decay.
References:
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/carbs-diabetes.html
https://medlineplus.gov/carbohydrates.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325171.php
https://www.livestrong.com/article/482734-the-effects-of-a-deficiency-of-carbohydrates/
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/carbs-diabetes.html
