Carbohydrates in Human Body

Carbohydrates in Human Body
Carbohydrates provide the bulk of most human diets and are the major source of energy world-wide.

Carbohydrates are a diverse family of substances that include sugars, starch, and fiber.

Sugars and starch provide energy, whereas most dietary provides no energy because it passes through the digestive tract and is not absorbed by the body.

(A small proportion of fiber is metabolized by bacteria in the large intestine and therefore some energy can be captured for use in our bodies.)

When we use term “sugar’” most people think of the refined white crystals commonly called “table” sugar.

However, there are many types of sugars found in nature such as fruit sugar and milk sugar.

Foods naturally rich in sugars include fruit, vegetables, honey, milk and other dairy products.

Sugar beets and sugar cane are particularly rich in sugar and are the major sources of commercially refined table sugar.

Processed foods containing added sugar – such as candy and soft drinks – accounts for most of the sugar consumed in economically developed countries.

Starch is found naturally ingrains and vegetables and is the primarily carbohydrate consumed throughout the world, it is the main ingredient in foods such as beans, rice potatoes, pasta and breads.

Refined starch is also used extensively in the food industry as a thickening agent in processed foods.

Many people believe that eating foods containing starch and sugar are “fattening” and that sugar is more fattening than starch.

In truth, starch and sugar provide exactly the same amount of energy, so sugar is nor more fattening than starch.

Furthermore, excess body fat is the result of consuming too much food not just carbohydrates.

The term “fiber” refers to any plant material that is resistant to digestion and passes though the digestive tract unaltered.

In this way, dietary fiber helps to prevent constipation and may lower the risk of colon cancer by speeding up the passage of fecal matter and substances in food that may cause cancer.

One caution is that fiber in the intestinal tract may interfere with the absorption of other essential nutrients although a well balanced diet including plenty of fluids helps to ensure that all essential nutrients are consumed in adequate amounts.
Carbohydrates in Human Body