Carbohydrate

A carbohydrate is an organic compound with general formula C''m''(H2O)''n'', that is, consisting only of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, the last two in the 2:1 atom ratio. Carbohydrates can be viewed as hydrates of carbon, hence their name.

What are Carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are one of the most important food groups in the diet. They provide essential elements that the body needs for instant energy production and various vital functions.

Carbohydrate Structure

Foods High in Carbohydrates

Carbohydrate Monosaccharides

Carbohydrate Metabolism

Latest Carbohydrate News and Research

Modern lifestyles may be changing our gut bacteria in unexpected ways

A global study of 1,015 adults across 12 countries found that industrialized lifestyles were associated with lower gut bacterial diversity, reduced microbial community stability, and increased markers of intestinal stress and immune activity. The researchers also found that a microbiome-based health index developed using industrialized populations performed poorly in less-industrialized communities, raising concerns about its applicability across diverse populations.

4 Nov 2026

A study of 27,000 adults links bean products and soy compounds to lower kidney disease odds

A cross-sectional study of 27,003 adults in Northeast China found that higher consumption of processed bean products and soy isoflavones was associated with lower odds of chronic kidney disease, while plain bean intake showed no significant association. The relationship with soy isoflavones was stronger in women, although the observational findings cannot establish whether these foods protect against kidney disease.

4 Nov 2026

Eating peanuts every day may change your brains insulin response

The study finds that unsalted peanuts may enhance brain insulin responsiveness, providing new insights into dietary influences on cognitive health in aging.

4 Nov 2026

New consensus offers guidance for management of neonatal lactose intolerance

Lactose is a major carbohydrate in human milk, but breaking it down requires lactase, an intestinal enzyme that can be insufficient in babies born prematurely.

2 Nov 2026

Why you still want dessert even when you're completely full

A 2026 narrative review examines how food liking (pleasure) and wanting (motivation) interact with hunger and satiety to influence food choices, explaining why certain foods may remain appealing even after a satisfying meal. The authors report that food reward can change independently of hunger under specific conditions, but evidence remains limited that these changes reliably predict subsequent eating or improve weight-management outcomes.

1 Nov 2026

The type of fiber you eat shapes how gut bacteria feed and work together

A 2021 review examined how the chemical structure and physical properties of dietary fiber influence which gut bacteria can break it down and how microbial species compete and cooperate during fermentation. The authors described how these interactions contribute to short-chain fatty acid production, while emphasizing the need for further research involving intact plant foods to understand their implications for human health.

1 Nov 2026

Insilico Medicine leader shares AI-driven drug discovery insights in Shanghai and Dubai

Dr. Jue Wang, Head of Global Business Development at Insilico Medicine, has been invited to attend the China Healthcare Summit in Shanghai. On the afternoon of November 3 at 16:45, she will deliver a keynote speech in the panel titled: "THE COMMODITIZATION TRAP: WHO WINS WHEN EVERYONE HAS THE SAME AI?"

30 Oct 2026

Worried nuts will cause weight gain? A large review puts that concern in perspective

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials found that eating nuts modestly reduced body fat and improved cholesterol levels without significantly changing body weight. The review did not establish that nuts rich in monounsaturated fats offered greater body-composition benefits than those rich in polyunsaturated fats.

29 Oct 2026

High-fat diets in mouse parents alter offspring brain development

Researchers fed breeding pairs of mice five diets with different fat and sugar contents to examine how parental nutrition affects offspring brain development. High-fat diets, alone or combined with high sugar, delayed early motor development and altered brain structure in young adult offspring, while the high-sugar-only diet produced no significant changes in individual brain regions after correction for multiple comparisons.

28 Oct 2026

Ketones may change sleep patterns, but not always for the better

Researchers reviewed animal and human studies and found that ketone bodies may affect sleep stages through energy metabolism and cellular signaling, with the clearest direct evidence involving acetoacetate in mice. They reported mixed human findings and called for controlled studies to separate ketone-specific effects from changes linked to diet, disease, circadian timing, and physiological stress.

28 Oct 2026

University of Utah researchers discover backup energy system in the heart

The heart is the hardest-working muscle in the body, beating constantly no matter what the body's energy reserves look like.

28 Oct 2026

High intake of saturated fat can promote favorable changes in cardiovascular risk markers

New analyses from the Norwegian randomized controlled trial CARBFUNC show that more than doubling saturated fat intake over a two-year period can promote favorable changes in several cardiovascular risk markers, without increasing apoB, the main suspected risk factor.

27 Oct 2026

Vegan honey could match powerful antimicrobial properties of mānuka

Vegan honey alternatives could be engineered to have similar antimicrobial properties to prized mānuka honey from New Zealand, according to research at Aston University.

15 Oct 2026

Losing weight is one thing. Keeping your muscle is another, experts say

The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) position stand concludes that sustained calorie restriction drives weight loss, while adequate protein intake and resistance training help preserve lean mass. Reviewing intermittent fasting, ketogenic diets, and other dietary approaches, the authors emphasize individualized nutrition plans, body composition, and sustainable weight management rather than rapid weight loss alone.

14 Oct 2026

From turmeric to fenugreek, scientists examine nature’s potential role in diabetes care

A narrative review examined how curcumin, honey, culinary spices, and traditional remedies may influence oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and insulin signaling in diabetes. Although experimental research and some clinical trials suggest potential metabolic benefits, the authors emphasize that larger, well-controlled studies are needed to establish their effectiveness and safety alongside conventional treatments.

14 Oct 2026

ACLM launches resources to meet new medical nutrition requirements

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) has launched two resources to help medical schools meet new federal nutrition requirements and to support practicing physicians seeking education relevant to state-level nutrition education requirements.

13 Oct 2026