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.

Foods High in Carbohydrates

Carbohydrate Monosaccharides

Carbohydrate Structure

Carbohydrate Metabolism

Latest Carbohydrate News and Research

Blue Zones longevity claims may rest on flawed records, essay argues

Essay challenges the scientific validity of the Blue Zones concept and Ancel Keys’ Lipid Hypothesis, arguing that both rest on biased data, weak records, and methodological flaws. The authors say some longevity claims may reflect clerical errors, poverty, and unreliable vital records rather than uniquely healthy lifestyles.

26 Apr 2026

Oral bacteria can reveal your true biological age and health risks

A simple oral rinse may predict biological age, linking oral microbiome changes to aging, frailty, and chronic disease risk in a noninvasive manner.

21 Apr 2026

High-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may improve beta-cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes on a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may have a better chance of reversing their diabetes than those on a low-fat diet, according to a small study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.

21 Apr 2026

Are healthy foods really healthy? Nutrition researchers say context matters

This Clinical Nutrition opinion paper argues that nutrition research should stop asking whether a food is simply “healthy” and instead ask what it is being compared with. Because diets are compositional, the health effects of foods depend on the specific substitution, and the authors argue that causal inference and network meta-analysis can improve how evidence is interpreted.

15 Apr 2026

Beetroot supplement raises nitric oxide markers in triathletes after one week

A randomized cross-over pilot study in 10 amateur male triathletes found that a beetroot-based multi-ingredient nitrate supplement increased nitric oxide-related and redox biomarkers over 7 days without evidence of lipid oxidative damage. The supplement was generally well tolerated, but the study did not measure whether these biochemical changes improved performance or recovery.

13 Apr 2026

Want muscle from creatine? Resistance training is the missing link

A meta-analysis reveals creatine enhances high-intensity performance, with muscle gains linked to resistance training context and supplementation.

10 Apr 2026

Study finds nutritional risks in users of GLP-1 drugs

Adults with overweight or obesity taking the new generation of weight loss drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide tend to eat significantly less, leaving them vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies, according to one of the first real-world studies to examine dietary behavior in people using glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) dual agonists RAs (collectively referred to as GLP-1 RAs) with the help of an AI-powered nutritional tracking app.

9 Apr 2026

Prickly pear may pack a surprising punch against metabolic syndrome

This narrative review examines how Opuntia ficus-indica fruit, or prickly pear, may help target multiple features of metabolic syndrome through its fiber, betalains, polyphenols, carotenoids, and other bioactive compounds. The authors conclude that the fruit shows promising mechanistic and preclinical potential, but stronger human trials are still needed before firm clinical claims can be made.

6 Apr 2026

Princeton researchers reveal new links between high-fat diets and aggressive breast cancer

Princeton researchers have revealed new links between high-fat diets and aggressive breast cancer, demonstrating the important role fat plays in making some cancers more invasive.

6 Apr 2026

Firmer potatoes lower post-meal blood sugar spikes

Minimally cooked potatoes may reduce blood sugar spikes, but benefits are short-lived and specific to certain populations, as shown in recent research.

23 Mar 2026

AI diet plans underestimate teen nutrition and miss key nutrients

AI tools for adolescent diet planning may fall short, consistently underestimating nutrient intake and energy needs compared to individualized dietitian plans.

20 Mar 2026

High fat diets allow gut bacteria to enter the brain via the vagus nerve

With more than 100 million neurons in the digestive tract, the gut is commonly known as the "second brain" in numerous cultures, including ancient Greece, Japan, China and India, linking digestion with physical and mental well-being.

12 Mar 2026

AI-generated meal plans for teens often lack essential nutrients and calories

Many teens dealing with weight issues are turning to AI models to help them create meal plans with the aim of losing weight.

12 Mar 2026

Study finds keto diet strengthens the brain against epilepsy

Published in The Lancet Neurology, a new review from the University of Colorado Anschutz in collaboration with UT Southwestern Medical Center, offers the latest scientific explanations for why ketogenic diets reduce seizures in people with epilepsy.

12 Mar 2026

Eating earlier in the day is linked to lower nighttime glucose in gestational diabetes

A secondary analysis of a randomized trial examined whether the timing of the first daily meal affects 24-hour glucose patterns in pregnancies with gestational diabetes. Earlier first meals were associated with lower nocturnal glucose levels and an earlier daily glucose rhythm, although overall glycaemic control metrics were similar between groups.

11 Mar 2026

Alginate-enhanced gel improves organoid development

Miniature organs grown in the lab can organize themselves into complex shapes. But they never do it the same way twice, which makes it hard to use these so-called 'organoids' to study disease.

10 Mar 2026

Most weight lost on GLP-1 drugs returns within a year after stopping

The cessation of GLP-1RAs is linked to a 60% weight regain within a year, emphasizing the importance of tailored strategies for effective long-term weight loss.

9 Mar 2026

Melbourne’s lab-grown "skin" revolutionizes tick research

The world's first lab-based tick feeding system for bush ticks, developed by researchers at the University of Melbourne, has transformed the study of ticks and how they transmit disease. The novel, host-free technology reduces the need for animal experiments in tick studies, facilitating more ethical, reproducible research.

5 Mar 2026

Ultraprocessed foods are engineered like cigarettes

The parallels between ultraprocessed foods and tobacco raise concerns about addiction and health risks, urging policymakers to implement effective regulations.

2 Mar 2026

Ketogenic diet alters brain signaling to reduce epileptic seizures

A ketogenic diet - one that is high in fat and extremely low in carbohydrates - has been known for decades to reduce seizures in some epilepsy patients.

25 Feb 2026