Carbohydrates are an important part of the diet because it provides the body’s main sources of energy maintaining a healthy balanced diet. It also prevents the risks of diseases and helps proper performance of all body functions.
It is required for concentration, support everyday mental and physical recreation activities. Consuming sufficient carbohydrates is extremely important to ensure that the body has its maximum energy it provides for optimum performance of the body. Complex carbohydrates are rich in fiber and consist of three or more sugars also known as polysaccharides. Example of food that contains complex carbohydrates includes brown rice, wheat and potatoes. Simple carbohydrates consist of one sugar (monosaccharides) or two sugars (disaccharides).
Example of food that contains simple carbohydrates includes fruit, honey and dairy products. In people with type 2 diabetes, there will be a sharp increase of their blood glucose level shortly after eating a large amount of carbohydrate. They are unable to produce enough insulin that the body needs and likely to require to take diabetes medication such as metformin to control sugar levels. On the other hand, people who don’t have diabetes, their blood glucose level will still suddenly rise shortly after eating a large amount of carbohydrate, but it will regulate the control of blood glucose back to normal range because of the effects of insulin. People who don’t have diabetes are able to produce enough insulin that the body needs without taking any medication whereas people with type 2 diabetes, would need to take some form of medication such as metformin or similar to help regulates the control of insulin in the body. The general structural differences between sugars and complex carbohydrates are determined in how quickly or slowly the digestion and absorption of food in the gut then into the bloodstream.
Simple carbohydrates are food that are easily digested and absorbed by the body and can raise blood glucose levels whereas complex carbohydrates take longer to digest and blood glucose levels don’t raise quickly. Simple carbohydrates are broken down in the stomach and digested very quickly and they contain very few essential nutrients. These are simple sugars that rush into the bloodstream very Question 5. quickly and the constant urge of more energy to be consumed due to the blood sugar being low.
They quickly raise blood sugars and can lead into feeling hungry, an urge for sweet cravings and make a person feeling tired shortly after eating a meal. Complex carbohydrates take longer to digest and absorb into the bloodstream. They contain fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. They are more filling and provide long lasting energy to properly function your body as its best.
