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Website design By BotEap.comCarbohydrates are called carbohydrates because the carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen they usually contain in the ratio to form water with the general formula Cn (H2O) n. Plants use sunlight (photosynthesis) to convert water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen.
Website design By BotEap.comCarbohydrates are classified into mono, di, tri, poly, and heterosaccharides. The smallest carbohydrates are monosaccharides like glucose, while polysaccharides like starch, cellulose, and glycogen can be large and even indeterminate in length.
Website design By BotEap.comCarbohydrates: mainly sugars and starches, which together constitute one of the three main types of nutrients used as sources of energy (calories) by the body. Carbohydrates can also be defined chemically as neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Website design By BotEap.comCarbohydrates come in simple forms like sugars and complex forms like starches and fiber. The body breaks down most sugars and starches into glucose, a simple sugar that the body can use to fuel its cells. Complex carbohydrates are derived from plants. The dietary intake of complex carbohydrates can lower blood cholesterol when replaced by saturated fat.
Website design By BotEap.comCarbohydrates are classified into mono, di, tri, poly, and heterosaccharides. The smallest carbohydrates are monosaccharides like glucose, while polysaccharides like starch, cellulose, and glycogen can be large and even indeterminate in length.
Website design By BotEap.comKey functions of carbohydrates
- When your body needs energy, it looks for carbohydrates first.
- If you don’t eat enough carbohydrates, your body will look to other sources of energy, such as the proteins found in muscle tissue. Proteins, however, are not efficient sources of energy for the body.
- Carbohydrates are the most abundant source of dietary energy for all organisms.
- They supply energy and serve as a form of energy storage.
- Carbohydrates like glucose, fructose, starch, glycogen, etc. provide energy for the functioning of living organisms.
- Carbohydrates also protect muscles and help regulate the amount of sugar circulating in the blood so that all cells get the energy they need.
- Carbohydrates participate in cellular functions such as cell growth, adhesion, and fertilization.
- Complex carbohydrates release energy slowly and often contain fiber. These “healthier” forms of carbohydrates include whole wheat bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, cereals, and legumes.
- Simple carbohydrates are sugars that give you instant energy and generally have no nutritional value. Simple carbohydrates that contain vitamins and minerals are naturally found in: fruits, milk and dairy products, vegetables. Simple carbohydrates are also found in processed and refined sugars * such as: candy, table sugar, syrups (not including natural syrups like maple), regular carbonated drinks.
