Body’s Primary Fuel
Carbohydrates are the most widely consumed substance in the world after water. Glucose, the simplest carbohydrate is an essential fuel for the brain and the main source of energy during strenuous exercise.
Whatever carbohydrates you eat will end up in your bloodstream as GLUCOSE.
Traditionally, carbohydrates were described by their chemical structure. Sugars were simple and starches (potatoes, rice) were complex, simply because sugar molecules were small and starches were big.
Simple vs Complex Carbohydrates
It was assumed that because complex carbohydrates were bigger, they would be digested and absorbed more slowly and cause a gradual and small rise in the blood-glucose levels. On the other hand, simple sugars were assumed to be digested and absorbed quickly, producing a rapid rise in blood-glucose.
Scientists have now discovered that some complex carbohydrates raise the blood–glucose faster and higher than simple sugars. They found that it is more useful to categorize carbohydrates according to their glycemic index (GI). The GI is a measure of just how much and how fast a specific carbohydrate food will raise your blood glucose level.
