Simple Carbs vs Complex Carbs — What is the Difference?

Why Did Life Decide to Use Carbon?

Do you remember the periodic table? There are about 118 elements over there, but the human body is made 97% by only six elements: hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and carbon.

Carbo-hydrates are made of CARBON and H20. Why pick carbon as an energy source? There are elements that are much more abundant and easier to find on Earth.

The “king of the elements”

Carbon is stable and flexible at the same time, a compound stable enough to not fall apart during digestion and flexible enough to create very long chains. It is like a perfect “marriage material” because he loves bonding. He has four electrons in his outer shell. If another element wants his electrons, he has to bond with the carbon and “take him as a full package”.

Carbohydrates give you energy

If you want to find out the main difference between proteins, carbs, and fat, check my previous article.