Carbohydrates exist in many different forms.
The term carbohydrate refers to any one of a huge
group of compounds that contain the elements carbon (C), oxygen (O)
and hydrogen (H) and have the general formula: Cx(H2O)y.
Examples of carbohydrates include sugars and starch.
Why are they important?
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Carbohydrates are an important source of energy.
They are produced by plants, in which carbohydrates
form important structural and storage materials, e.g. cellulose and
starch, respectively.
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Carbohydrates are ingested into the human body
as food (incl. sugary drinks).
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Carbohydrates are one of the three main parts
of the human diet - the others being fat
and protein.
How does the body process, use, and store carbohydrates?
All carbohydrates ingested as part of the diet are eventually broken-down
by the body into the simple sugar glucose - which can
participate in energy-generating metabolic processes. Excess carbohydrates,
ingested but not needed by the body immediately are stored in the liver
and muscles in the
form of glycogen.
