8 Facts You must Know About Carbohydrates
5. A special type of complex carbohydrate is fiber. Fiber, interestingly, cannot be broken down – it stays undigested. But fiber not only cleans the digestive tract but also smoothens the process of digestion. It also helps lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the body and thus protect the heart.
6. Carbohydrates are either slow digesting or fast digesting. This depends upon the Glycemic Index or GI of the food in question. A high GI carbohydrate digests faster than a low GI carbohydrate.
7. Always give preference to low GI foods as they do not rapidly convert all carbohydrates into fats and keep providing you with energy for a longer period of time. High GI foods should ideally be avoided.
8. Body builders need slow digesting carbohydrates. When you eat carbohydrates, your body produces insulin which helps in the breaking down of carbohydrates into sugar. But fast digesting carbohydrates trigger too much insulin secretion which converts any excess carbohydrates into fats. Thus, body builders must ensure intake of slow digesting carbohydrates as it will not only provide energy for a longer duration but will also control the unwanted storage of fats in the body.
