Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the human body. They account for about 60% of all energy received. Knowing which foods contain the most carbohydrates is essential for those who care about their health. In addition, it is important to know the types of carbohydrates consumed, because excessive consumption of some of them often leads to various unpleasant consequences, for example, obesity.
Carbohydrates are actively involved in physiological processes. The energy that people get from carbohydrates is used not only for movement, but also to ensure the functioning of all organs and systems. Carbohydrates are involved in the formation of enzymes and hormones. However, you should not lean on carbohydrate-containing foods, since excessive consumption of them is the most common cause of metabolic disorders. Carbohydrates are divided into two groups: complex and simple. Complex carbohydrates are polysaccharides such as starch, glycogen, pectins, and fiber. Simple carbohydrates are called monosaccharides, namely fructose, maltose, galactose, glucose and sucrose. Fast-dissolving monosaccharides enter the bloodstream almost immediately. Most of these substances are found in vegetables, fruits and honey. Such an important substance as glucose is in great need of the brain. It is not for nothing that during mental work it is recommended to eat a lot of dark chocolate, because it contains a lot of glucose. It is also rich in cherries, grapes, bananas, raspberries, cherries, plums, cabbage, carrots and pumpkin. It is worth noting that insulin is needed for the absorption of glucose by the body. Fructose is the safest source of carbohydrates compared to glucose. It is even suitable for people with diabetes mellitus, since it penetrates cells without the participation of insulin. Fructose is twice as sweet as glucose, but at the same time it does not provoke tooth decay. Sources of fructose include pears, apples, watermelons, black currants, strawberries and honey. Less well known is galactose. In free form, it is found only in dairy products. The enemy of all losing weight people is a pure carbohydrate - sucrose. It is found in confectionery, sugar, jam, ice cream, baked goods, and sugary drinks. Answering the question about which foods contain carbohydrates, it is worth saying a few words about beer, from which, in the opinion of many, fat appears on the stomach. This is due to malt sugar - maltose. In addition to beer, it is found in honey and certain types of baked goods. Complex carbohydrates are so named because of their structure. They gradually enter the bloodstream in small quantities. Sources include cereals, plant foods, pasta, wholemeal breads, nuts, and legumes. A substance such as glycogen is a reserve polysaccharide in the body, and, if necessary, can be converted into glucose. It is found in small quantities in meat, in the highest concentration in the liver. About 80% of carbohydrates that enter the body are starch. It is found in cereals, potatoes, legumes, as well as carrots, pumpkins, cabbage, bananas, and tomatoes. Starch from cereals, bread and potatoes is digested extremely slowly, gradually breaking down to glucose, in its natural form it is absorbed quickly. To ensure the intake of no less important pectin and fiber, it is necessary to include apples, beets, plums, raspberries, grapes, cranberries, eggplants, oranges, melons, lemons, cucumbers, pumpkins, tomatoes, potatoes, and various cereals in the diet.
