What is carbohydrates role in our bodies? Nutritionists recommend that most of our food should be composed of a great proportion of carbohydrates in some form, so why is it so important to adhere to this guideline? In this article I shall explain what is carbohydrates role and how important carbohydrates are in our bodies.

What Is Carbohydrates Function In Our Bodies?

With our day to day tiresome routines we tend to require lots of strength, it is very essential that the body is provided with sufficient energy in order to ensure that the vital organs are functioning in the right manner. Fatigue, poor mental conditions and tiresomeness are the most common symptoms associated with a carbohydrates deficit in our bodies. It is hence worth noting that carbohydrates are very vital sources of energy for the normal functioning of our bodies. If incase carbohydrates are excessively consumed, they will be converted into an innate form and then stored in the body until they are required.

Moreover, carbohydrates are very essential for the proper functioning of all body operations such as the pumping of the blood in the cardiac system and transfer of impulses through the nervous system. Carbohydrates also have fiber, which is required in the body as roughage. Roughages usually play a very important role in eliminating waste and toxins from the intestines thus keeping them free of any diseases.

Let us now briefly see how Carbohydrates function in the body.

Once you consume a carbohydrate, a variety of digestive enzymes in the body break them down forming glucose. Glucose is a form of a simple sugar according to its simple chemical structure. Glucose is used in the production of energy in the body. In the event that the glucose is not required in the body immediately, it is stored in an innate form of glycogen. Glycogen is reconverted to glucose in case need arises.

Simple Carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates occur in a natural form e.g in fruits or as a resultant of the break down sugars and fats. Basically, simple carbohydrates contain of at least two sugar molecules. Due to this, simple carbohydrates can be broken down more easily into glucose. However, due to the ease of break down and absorption into the blood stream, the blood sugar levels rise rapidly and in turn this is followed by a drastic drop in sugar levels within a short time afterwards. As a result, there is a significant energy deficiency which results in fatigue.

Normally simple carbohydrates are found in icing sugar (used in sweetening cakes, sweets and soft drinks). This form of carbohydrates is artificial and hence increases immensely the chances of excessive weight gain. More so simple carbohydrates increase your chances of tooth decay, diabetes, mood swings and hunger.

Complex Carbohydrates
Complex carbohydrates are also referred to as starchy carbohydrates. This category mainly consists of complex carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables, bread, pasta, brown rice, legumes, grains and cereals. The chemical structure of the complex carbohydrates is made up of sugar molecules embedded together in chains hence forming a complex chemical composition. As a result of their complex chemical structure, these carbohydrates are not easily digestible. Due to this they are the recommended sources of energy in the body as the energy is released in a slow and steady manner. Thus there are no drastic changes occurring in the body and the body is able to have a reliable energy reservoir for the whole day. The fat contents in these carbohydrates are also lower and the amount of vitamins and fibers is high.