CARBOHYDRATES


Carbohydrates are macronutrients, meaning they are one of the three main ways the body obtains energy are a very important part of a diet and of the nutritional pyramid. There are healthy and unhealthy carbohydrates and are found in a wide variety of forms; the most common ones are sugars, starches and fibers. The main function of this nutrients is providing fuel and energy for muscles and the central nervous system. This the most important function but not the only one because they also have influence in moods and memory, so that take part of brain functions. As well, some studies affirm that carbohydrates enable fat metabolism. Carbohydrates are also classified in if they are simple, that contains one or two sugars (fructose) or complex, which contains three or more sugars (polysaccharides). The difference is the chemical structure and how quickly the sugar is absorbed and digested. Simple carbs are digested and absorbed more quickly and easily than complex carbs. We normally identify complex cabs as the good ones and simple cabs as the bad ones. The difference is that:

Nutrient dense carbohydrates:

- High in nutrients.

- High in fiber content.

- Low at cholesterol content.

Not nutrient dense carbohydrates:

-High in calories.

-Low in fiber.

-High in cholesterol.

Some examples of de most common carbohydrates are this ones: bread, beans, milk, popcorn, potatoes, cookies, spaghetti, soft drinks, corn, and cherry pie.

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