what are carbohydrates?

Answer 1

Carbohydrates are molecules that contain oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon atoms. They may also contain other elements such as sulfur or nitrogen, but these are usually minor components. They consist of monosaccharide sugars, of varying chain lengths, that have the general chemical formula Cn(H2O)n or are derivatives of such.The smallest value for n is 3. A 3-carbon sugar is referred to as a triose, whereas a 6-carbon sugar is called a hexose (see monosaccharides below). Certain carbohydrates are important for storing and transporting energy in most organisms, including plants and animals, and are major structural elements in many organisms (eg cellulose in plants). In addition they play major roles in cell to cell communication, the immune system, fertilization, pathogenesis, blood clotting, and development. Carbohydrates can be classified by the number of constituent sugar units: monosaccharides (such as glucose and fructose), disaccharides (such as sucrose and lactose), oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides (such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose).

Pure carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, in a 1:2:1 molar ratio, giving the general formula Cn(H2O)n. (This applies only to monosaccharides, see below, although all carbohydrates have the more general formula Cn(H2O)m.) However, many important carbohydrates deviate from this, such as deoxyribose and glycerol. Sometimes compounds containing other elements are also counted as carbohydrates (e.g. glucosamine and chitin, which contain nitrogen).

The simplest carbohydrates are monosaccharides, which are small straight-chain aldehydes and ketones with many hydroxyl groups added, usually one on each carbon except the functional group. Other carbohydrates are composed of monosaccharide units and break down under hydrolysis. These may be classified as disaccharides, oligosaccharides, or polysaccharides, depending on whether they have two, several, or many monosaccharide units.

Nutrition
Carbohydrates require less water to digest than proteins or fats and are the most common source of energy. Proteins and fat are vital building components for body tissue and cells, and thus it could be considered advisable not to deplete such resources by necessitating their use in energy production. Carbohydrates, like proteins, contain 4 kilocalories per gram while fats contain 9 kilocalories and alcohol contains 7 kilocalories per gram.

Based on evidence for risk of heart disease and obesity, the Institute of Medicine recommends that American and Canadian adults get between 40-65% of dietary energy from carbohydrates.[1] The Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization jointly recommend that national dietary guidelines set a goal of 55-75% of total energy from carbohydrates.[2]

Foods that are high in carbohydrates
Breads, pastas, beans, potatoes, bran, rice and cereals are all high in carbohydrates.

Classification
Dietitians and nutritionists commonly classify carbohydrates as simple (monosaccharides and disaccharides) or complex (oligosaccharides and polysaccharides), depending on their chemical structure. The term complex carbohydrate was first used in the Senate Select Committee publication Dietary Goals for the United States (1977), where it denoted "fruit, vegetables and whole-grains".[3] Dietary guidelines generally recommend that complex carbohydrates and nutrient-rich simple carbohydrates such as fruit and dairy products should make up the bulk of carbohydrate consumption. The USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 dispenses with the simple/complex distinction, instead recommending fiber-rich foods and whole grains.[4].

The glycemic index and glycemic load systems are popular alternative classification methods which rank carbohydrates based on their effect on blood glucose levels.

Answer 2

In terms of diet, carbohydrates are starches (like bread, pasta and potatoes) and sugars. Starches are filling and produce lasting energy, whereas sugars give a quick burst of energy which wears off quickly. Eating too many carbohydrates has been linked to weight gain, but then, what hasn't?

Chemically speaking, carbohydrates are compounds which contain carbon, oxygen, and water in the ratio C(n)H(2n)O(n).

Answer 3

Literally, they are the compound foods that are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. We find them in sugars, starches, grains, potatoes, pastas, cereals, etc. The body takes these compound foods and turns them into glucose, the sugar utilized for energy supply. They are essential for our existence but when we consume too many of them, the body stores the excess carbohydrates as fat tissue. When we have too few carbs in our diets, then the body takes the fat tissues and turns them back into sugar for energy usage.

Answer 4

They are what your body uses for energy. They are turned into glucose in the body and depending on what you need they are either used or stored as fat. So, you want to make sure you eat enough to give your body the energy it needs. But if you eat too many, your body just stores them as fat. If you don't eat enough, then your body breaks down your muscle and you screw up your metabolism. So make sure you eat enough, but not too many.

Answer 5

carbohydrates are the quick and easy energy your body uses to run its everyday functions. all it is is just quick and easy energy to your body

Answer 6

how's that rock you're living under? kidding! rice, pasta ,bread, sugar, potatoes, anything white...bad for you...makes you hold onto your fat stores!

Answer 7

complex sugars.

Answer 8

sugar and such