How to Think About Carbs
Carbohydrates are a biological necessity — for nearly everyone.
There are three types of carbohydrates.
As we’ll see, each affects the body (and the gut) in very different ways.
Now, carbohydrates are the subject of decades of research — and marketing. Telling people which carbs to eat, and avoid, is big, big business.
What will help you the most? Cut through the data and opinions, and understand these two concepts:
Hyperlinks
Sugar
Consists of:
Glucose + Fructose
(+ Galactose)
Starch
Consists of:
Glucose
Fiber
Consists of:
Glucose
SUGAR
Small — only one or two sugar molecules.
Digestion / Absorption Rate:
- Rapid (up to 30 minutes)
Most sugar sources contain both glucose and fructose.
Small sugar molecules (mono- and di-saccharides).
STARCH
Long chains of glucose.
Digestion / Absorption Rate:
- Medium (up to a couple of hours)
Starch breaks down into sugar (glucose) — from long chains.
Long chains (polysaccharides).
FIBER
Extremely long chains of glucose.
Digestion / Absorption Rate:
- Does not absorb into blood stream
- Ferments for 36+ hours in gut
Fiber is mostly indigestible — it doesn’t break down into sugar. Instead, fiber slowly feeds gut flora.
Super long chains (polysaccharides).
Do you remember the two main types of sugar?
(Galactose, a third type, is only present in milk).
The 3 Types of Sugar
(Primary sugar in grains & starch)
(Fruit sugar)
(Sugar found in milk)
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United Kingdom
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USA
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California, USA
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California, USA
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Netherlands
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U.K.
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USA
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USA
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