What is a carbohydrate?

Carbohydrates that are optimal for the body

There are a lot of different carbs. There are simple carbs and complex carbs. Most people get their carbs from sugar, bread, or groats, but complex carbs are found in vegetables, fruits, and berries. You can optimize the consumption of fruit, greens, and berries by eating them at your daily meals.

Fiber and dietary fiber

Carbohydrates in the form of dietary fiber contribute to a well-functioning stomach and digestion. Dietary fiber is a partially indigestible carbohydrate that is not broken down by the enzymes found in the pancreas. They will reach down into the colon without being broken down.

There are two types of dietary fiber.

The water-soluble dietary fiber can cause the blood sugar to be stable and can help in absorbing excess bile in the intestinal system. This means that the body must form new bile from cholesterol. It is therefore believed that dietary fiber lowers the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Water-soluble fibers are found especially in rye, oats, vegetables, dried legumes, and fruits, such as pectin, which are very gel-forming. Water-insoluble dietary fiber stimulates bowel movements by absorbing water and swelling. This makes your defecation soft and can relieve constipation. Water-insoluble fibers are found especially in bran, grain products, and flea seed husks.

Empty calories

Pure sugar is popularly called empty calories. Pure sugar is not just sugar. It is also white bread, milk, and refined white foods. The body recognizes it only as energy and it is all converted into glucose. Fruits that are sweet contain, in addition to their natural sugar content, also vitamins and minerals, as well as dietary fiber, which are important for our digestion. If the food contains too many empty calories, they take up the storage space of healthier foods. The risk of the body not covering its own needs for dietary fiber need, vitamins, and minerals is thus present. Children and adults who are reluctant to eat fruits and vegetables risk gaining weight due to empty calories and low nutritional content

The importance of proteins, carbohydrates, cell fats, fibers, vitamins, and minerals depends on how unprocessed and fresh the food is.

The most necessary foods for us are foods that are easily broken down and converted into nutrients and water. The most essential nutrients for the body are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and salts. We eat food so that the nerve cells and muscles, etc. have energy. We need proteins that are converted into vital polyphenols, for the growth and formation of new cells. Fats are important as energy for the body since they contain three times as much energy as proteins and carbohydrates. This is also why the body needs fats for all organs and especially for the brain, which is 60% fat. Vitamins and minerals are vital for physiological and enzymatic processes throughout the body. Some minerals and salts are important for the formation of red blood cells and contribute to a good electrolyte balance (salt-sugar balance).