Vitamins, Minerals, and More: An Informatic Series, #1: Carbs

Carbohydrates

Carbs. What are they?

Sure, you've heard of them during biology class and whatnot. Maybe from your mom mentioning how bad they are for you.

Carbohydrates are a type of nutrient your body processes in order to gain energy. They are both a macronutrient, meaning they are organic and needed in large quantities. Their formula is C6H12O6. Carbs are "formed by green plants from carbon dioxide and water during. . . photosynthesis" (Davidson). They are worth 4 kcals/gram. Many people believe carbs are bad for the body, yet they are the number one energy source for the body, especially the brain. While fat is also energy-yielding, carbs are the preferred method of energy, as fat is stored energy reserves. 

They are also considered a type of sugar; more specifically, monosaccharides (Davidson), or single sugars. Some of these are fructose, galactose, and glucose.

A few examples of carbs are:

• Rice
  
• Potatoes (tubers)
• Lactose
• Artichokes
• Onions
• Sugar beets

So, eat carbs. They give you energy, especially for the brain. :)

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Sources:

Davidson, Eugene A. "Carbohydrate I Definition, Classification, & Examples." Britannica, 4 Jul. 2023, www.britannica.com/science/carbohydrate. Accessed 27 Jul. 2023.

Whitney, Ellie, and Sharon R. Rolfes. Understanding Nutrition. Cengage, 2020.