Sugar in the Body

• Sugars come from carbohydrates.Bread rolls image by Tasha from Fotolia.com
  
  Sugars are a form of carbohydrate, and carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body. Carbohydrates are made of saccharides, starches and fiber, and sugars and starches are broken down by the body into glucose. This glucose circulates through the body and provides energy to cells as needed. Consuming too many carbohydrates becomes an issue when the body is already storing an adequate amount of glucose. The extra glucose is turned into glycogen, and eventually turns into body fat if not used. This is a large reason for weight gain in people who consume too many carbohydrate-rich foods.
  
  

Forms

• Legumes contain complex carbohydrates.beans image by dinostock from Fotolia.com
  
  Carbohydrates come in complex and simple forms, and each form has a different effect on the energy levels of the body. Complex carbohydrates, known as polysaccharides, come from food items such as legumes, whole-grain pastas and soy. These polysaccharides break down into sugar at a slower rate than simple carbohydrates, know as monosaccharides. Monosaccharides come in food items such as soft drinks, candy bars and fruits.
  
  

Best Carbohydrates

• Whole grains provide long lasting energy.oat grains image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
  
  The best source of long-lasting energy comes from complex carbohydrates. This is because it takes the body a longer period of time to break down the molecules, and so the polysaccharides act as a slow-release mechanism for energy. These types of carbohydrates can be found in grains, vegetables and legumes, and these foods also provide vitamins, minerals and fiber.
  
  

Caution

• Simple carbohydrates can cause energy roller coasters.tired business woman image by Laser from Fotolia.com
  
  It is advised to consume minimal amounts of simple carbohydrates, which come in sugary candies, white pasta and bread, fruit juices and table sugar. These monosaccharides require little-to-no time to break down in the body and enter the bloodstream at a much quicker rate. These carbohydrates are turned into glucose and hit the bloodstream, forcing blood sugar levels to rise. This causes the pancreas to increase the amount of insulin it produces. This uses up the sugar more quickly, but once the excess sugar is used, blood sugar level drop and can cause extreme fatigue, a condition known as hypoglycemia. This is the process that causes the "sugar high" and the following energy crash afterwards.