What are Carbohydrates?

A carbohydrate is any naturally occurring sugar, starch, or cellulose that is a food source of energy for a plant or animal. Although there are different kinds of carbohydrates, they all contain sugar molecules. That explains why all existing carbohydrates have glucose as their basic unit. When you eat carbs, either sugars or starches, the digestive system of your body ensures that the carbs are broken down to glucose.

The reason is that the human body can only use glucose to generate the energy needed for all cellular activities of our body system. Another name for glucose is blood sugar. It is the fuel the body needs in order to carry out all its functions.

A form of carbohydrate that cannot be broken down is known as dietary fiber. It is important to note that there are two types of carbohydrates. They are simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. A perfect example of simple carbohydrates is the sugar that occurs naturally in milk, vegetables, and fruits. Examples of complex carbohydrates are fiber and starches.

There are some people who say that they are always trying their best to avoid consuming carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are considered to be naturally occurring starches, sugars, and fibers that can be found in food. The body would need carbohydrates because they would be broken down so that they can start to form glucose.

One thing that you should know is that they can be found in both healthy and unhealthy food. You will find them in different types of bread or find them in some sugary desserts. The key here is to make sure that you will choose the right type of carbohydrates that can give the benefits you are searching for.

Carbohydrates are a significant source of food for your body to use for energy, and these include simple carbohydrates such as table sugar, honey, and high fructose corn syrup. Complex carbs include starches such as bread, potatoes, and rice. Whole grains are also carbohydrates, but they are the kind that come from healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables.

A carbohydrate is a biomolecule consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, usually with a hydrogen-oxygen atom ratio of 2:1. However, not all carbohydrates can be explained this. Saccharides are separated into four chemical groups, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. Carbs perform many functions in living organisms.

For example, polysaccharides provide the storage of energy and as structural components. Saccharides and their byproducts include many other important biomolecules that help the immune system, fertilization, blood clotting, and development.