Complex Carbohydrates

What are Complex Carbohydrates?

Complex Carbohydrates are one of the two types of carbohydrates, another being Simple Carbohydrates. Alternatively known as polysaccharides, complex carbohydrates are composed of a long as well as a complex chain of sugar or glucose molecules. Since complex carbohydrate items are rich in starch, they are also sometimes referred to as starches. This type of carbohydrates are mostly gathered from single sugar units such as glucose, galactose, fructose, and sometimes from pairs of single sugar molecules, a prime example for which is disaccharides – a combination of lactose, sucrose, and maltose. Even though polysaccharides are a combination of number of single sugar units, it is not necessary that they must taste sweet. Further, they are found in both natural and refined forms of food items.

Among the different forms of complex carbohydrates are starches – which are mostly found in plants; celluloses or fibers, which are a form of indigestible carbohydrates; and glycogens, a kind of stored form of carbohydrates that are commonly found in human beings and animals. Also, an important type of complex carbohydrates is dextrin, which is formed as a result of fragmentation of longer chains of starches into smaller chains during the digestion process. A prime feature of this type of carbohydrate is that when compared to simple carbohydrates, it takes longer time for the digestion, as digestive enzymes have to take much effort in order to access the chains and to break down them into single sugars for the absorption via the intestines.

List of Complex Carbohydrates Foods

Complex carbohydrates are mostly found in vegetables, nuts, grains, oat meals, and nuts. Listed below are some of the examples of complex carbohydrates food:

Glycemic Index or GI is simply a numerical scale used to measure the level of carbohydrates on blood glucose. In other words, it is a method adopted to assess blood glucose levels in proportion to the consumption of carbohydrates. Glycemic Index ranks foods containing carbohydrates on a scale of 1 to 100, thereby providing each food items with its own GI value. In fact, Glycemic Index is beneficial to help us in the selection of right foods, which in turn aid for the proper stabilization of blood sugar levels. Mentioned further are some of the complex carbohydrates food items along with their GI index values and which are considered among the world’s healthiest foods.

Spinach with GI of 15-50
Okra with GI of 15-50
Green peas with GI of 50
Pearled barley with GI of 35
Whole meal bread with GI of 88

As mentioned earlier, simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates are the two important types of carbohydrates. No matter it is simple or complex, all carbohydrates are digested into blood sugar to form glucose, which in turn is carried by the blood around the body and cells in order to convert it into energy. In case if you have excess glucose, then it is converted into glycogen and is mostly stored in the liver. Sometimes when your body requires increased energy, then pancreas secretes a hormone known as glucagon, which has the ability to transform the glycogen again into glucose. This is then released into your blood streams for cells’ reuse. In short, sugar or glucose metabolism in your body is a cycle of insulin, glucose, and glucagon reactions.  

One of the prime differences between the both carbohydrates is that when compared to simple carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates allow for a slower release of glucose and hormones. This is beneficial to maintain more stable as well as sustainable levels of energy in the body, thereby minimizing your hunger level and giving you long lasting energy. Simple carbohydrate food mainly contains added sugar with less nutritional

value, and therefore is considered bad carbs. On the other hand, complex carbohydrate foods are mostly packed with essential fiber, nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and hence are very healthy choice.

As per several studies and reports, consumption of complex carbohydrate-rich foods are regarded as an effective alternative over the increased consumption of fatty as well as cholesterol-rich items. Further, complex carbohydrates help for the stabilization of the blood sugar and to maintain your energy at even level. In fact, the usage of complex carbohydrates serves as an increased source of sustained energy, and hence is inevitable for the good health of your body.