Carbohydrates take the form of sugars, starches and fibres, and represent one of our organism’s three main sources of energy. In fact, at least 55 % of the calories that we take in daily should come from carbohydrates, according to WHO recommendations.

It is recommendable that the carbohydrates we take in should come from different foods, thus making use of the nutrients found in each of them to advantage. A varied diet ensures that we taking in the nutrients necessary.

Among the benefits that carbohydrates provide us with are the following:

A diet rich in carbohydrates can prevent the accumulation of fat. This is due to the fact that carbohydrates have less calories per gram than fats, and they rapidly provide the sensation of being full, preventing the tendency to eat in excess.

Sugars and starches provide us with a source of energy that we can use at once in physical effort. In the same manner, the brain needs the glucose that they produce, since it cannot use fats as an energy source.

Nutrient fibres, on their side, help us to regulate intestinal passage.