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Information on Complex Carbohydrates Complex carbohydrates are a type of carbohydrates in unprocessed and unrefined foods which provide calories and fiber to the body. Complex carbohydrates are found in unrefined foods like whole grains, whole beans, pulses, legumes and vegetables. Come examples include whole wheat bread, wheat pasta, potato, yam, sweet potato, brown rice, oats, pearl millet, wheat, sorghum, dried beans, corn and carrots. Complex carbohydrates are made up of three chains of simple sugar molecule which are linked together. Starches or long chain of sugar molecule serve as a storage form of energy for plants.
Cellulose or the branched chain complex carbohydrates form the structural components of the plants which gives them their shape. Complex starches are not as easy to digest as simple carbohydrates because of the cellulose which is an important part of dietary fiber. As whole grains and cereals are not processed the fiber and other nutrients are retained in them because the husk and the germ layer are intact in these grains. Fiber slows down the gastric emptying and gives a feeling of fullness. It also releases the glucose in to the blood stream slowly there by avoiding any sugar spikes and maintaining a normal blood glucose levels in the body.
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