Carbohydrates

 

Types of carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are compounds that are in living things. They have molecules with carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
Carbohydrates give energy to your body. They power the processes in your body.

 

Your body changes carbohydrates into glucose, which can go into the bloodstream.

Then, glucose molecules go in the blood to the cells in your body where they are used for respiration. The glucose reacts with oxygen, giving energy.

There are two kinds of carbohydrates:

 

• Simple carbohydrates (also called sugars) These are simple sugar molecules, like glucose, fructose and sucrose. You can get them from sweet foods like chocolate, milk and fruit.
• Complex carbohydrates (also called starch) These are long chains of sugars joined together. You can find them in foods like bread, rice, pasta and potatoes.

 

Your body digests starch and sugars differently:

 

• Sugary foods and drinks can be easily changed into glucose. This can go into the bloodstream quickly to give a short energy boost.
• Starch is a long, complex molecule that is harder to change into glucose. This means that it gives energy more slowly. That is why it is called a slow-release carbohydrate.

 

How much carbohydrate do you need?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises to get half of your energy from carbohydrates. This means about 260g of carbohydrates every day for a moderately active teenager.

 

Summary:

 

• Carbohydrates are compounds that are found in living things. Their molecules are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
• Carbohydrates are an important source of energy in a healthy diet. Starchy and sugary foods are high in carbohydrates.
• Athletes eat different types of carbohydrate at different times in their training schedules.