What Are Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates play an essential role in the body. Here’s how they help you function at your best.

Manage Blood Sugar and Insulin Production

When you eat carbohydrate-containing foods, the body breaks down those carbohydrates into glucose, which then enters your bloodstream, raising your blood sugar, explains the American Diabetes Association. That signals your pancreas to release insulin, a hormone that pushes glucose into your cells, where it can be used for energy. And that takes us to our next point.

Provide Fuel

As mentioned, carbs provide the primary source of glucose (sugar) that the body can readily use for energy, says Carolyn Williams, PhD, RDN, an author and cohost of the podcast Happy Eating. You need fuel not only to power a walk or other exercise, but to run basic body functions. “It’s easy to forget about the energy we need to keep our heart beating, lungs breathing, create new blood cells, and more,” she says. What’s more, “glucose is the main thing the brain uses for energy, which is why it’s so vital,” Dr. Williams says.

Indirectly Aid in Hormonal Health

Outside of food insecurity, there are two instances where people tend to consume too few calories, and that’s on a low-calorie diet (consuming less than 1,200 calories per day) or on a low-carb diet, says Williams. When you don’t consume enough calories for your body’s metabolic needs, your hormonal heath may suffer, especially if you’re a woman. “A lack of adequate calories is associated with a decline in estrogen levels, which can cause changes in the menstrual cycle,” she says. In addition, eating less than your calorie needs can decrease thyroid hormones, as well as raise levels of the “stress hormone,” cortisol, Williams adds.

Improve Digestion and Microbiome Health

In certain carbohydrate-containing foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes, there lies an important nutrient: fiber. Fiber is an indigestible nutrient that’s fermented in the colon by the microbes in your microbiome, explains StatPearls. That fermentation creates healthful bacteria, and the fiber provides bulk to your stool that aids in digestive health.

Promote Healthy Lipid Levels

Sources of carbohydrates that contain soluble fiber, such as whole grains, avocado, beans, and certain fruits and veggies like apples and broccoli, these pack soluble fiber, notes the National Lipid Association. One role of soluble fiber is to bind to cholesterol and ferry it out of the body, which helps lower total and “bad” LDL cholesterol.