As you might know not all carbohydrates are created equal. For example eating white bread does not have the same effect on your body as eating 100% whole wheat bread. This has to do with the glycemic index (GI) and how your body digests it. There are two main types of carbohydrates (carbs); simple carbs and complex carbs. Since carbs make up such a huge chunk of what we eat on a daily basis it is imperative to know what they do and how they help your body. In this article we will take a good look at what simple and complex carbs are and exactly what you should look out for when choosing what to eat.
The Low-Down on Simple Carbohydrates
Wheat Bread
Carbohydrates are basically compounds of carbon and hydrogen. They are classified into two types - complex and simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are those which are already broken down in the body. Better known as "bad" carbs, simple carbs are already broken down and then re-processed in an artificial way to produce the final product. Such carbohydrates are most commonly found in chocolates. In addition to this, there are natural simple carbohydrates as well. These are easy to digest for the body.
Carbohydrates in general, provide energy to the body. Simple carbohydrates are broken down easily by the body. So these act as a quick source of energy. Common sources of natural simple carbohydrates are fruits, milk and milk products. They can also prove to be harmful if taken in large amounts. But, that is like everything else in life. Taking the right quantity of carbohydrates is one of the key factors in maintaining good health. You need to know which carbohydrates contain what substances and in what proportion. Educate yourself from the description given below about simple carbohydrates.
Simple carbohydrates contain three types of sugars namely - fructose (fruit sugar), glucose (blood sugar) and galactose. Since they are easily digested by the body and they cause an immediate rise in the blood sugar levels. So eating too much may damage the body as it alarmingly increases the blood sugar level, thus causing diabetes. High intake can also causes fats to be stored in cells. However our body does need certain amount of carbohydrates to perform its activities. Sportsmen consume high amounts of glucose to boost their energy levels.
Hence, the notion that eating more carbohydrates would lead to unhealthy body is false. The fact is that all carbohydrates are stored as calories inside the body. As long as these calories are burnt from time to time they are not at all harmful. One should have a close look at one's lifestyle to know exactly what is needed for their own body the body.
Complex Carbohydrates Never Tasted So Good
Very much opposite to simple carbohydrates are complex carb, also known as "good carbs". Complex carbs are recommended by most fitness professionals for many reasons.
A key to maintaining good health is to replace the intake of simple carbs with complex carbs. The body breaks down all carbohydrates into glucose. It then produces something known as an energy molecule, which is medically known as Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). Unlike simple carbs, complex carbs take time to be broken down into glucose and ultimately into ATP molecule. They also provide essential minerals and vitamins required for the body over a longer period of time which keeps you full and wards off fat storages.
Key sources of complex carbohydrates are bran, wheat gram, barley, maize, and oatmeal. Consuming carbohydrate - rich diet might also make one feel thirsty quite often. This is because carbs tend to consume an extra molecule of water when digested. No harm in it but one must take adequate amount of water to balance the body conditions. The measure of how much water one should take is easy to calculate. Just divide your weight in half. The number you get is the ounces of water you should consume in one day.
Processed foods come under the "bad" category as they are a little tough on the body. Medically speaking, processed foods do not actually contain a lot of fiber. So the body does not know how to process these artificially developed carbohydrates. But still, the body performs the digestion process but not with ease and therefore more of it can cause trouble. So if one is inclined on staying fit for the rest of the life, then one should have adequate knowledge on the type of carbohydrate they are consuming.
A Carb Isn't a Carb - The Difference Between Complex and Simple Carbohydrates
About The Author
Joseph L. Ownes invites you to join the growing fitness and health community of http://FitnessLifeLive.com. As you look around you will find hundreds of articles on various fitness and health topics like fat loss, nutrition, gaining muscle, and much more. Find great related articles like "Glycemic Index (GI) & Carbohydrates [http://www.fitnesslifelive.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=65]" in our Food and Nutrition section that will help you get in the shape you always wanted, and stay that way!
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