
Simple Carbohydrates
Simple carbs, also referred to as refined or processed carbohydrates, are the refined types of sugar you find in table sugar, white bread, sugary cereals, pastries, desserts, soda, and other highly processed or refined foods. They have a simple chemical structure with only one or two sugar molecules linked together. Simple carbs are quickly broken down by the body, leading to a faster rise in blood sugar and insulin secretion, which can have negative health effects like heart disease. Consuming large quantities of added sugar can stress and damage critical organs, including the pancreas and liver. Refined carbohydrates originate as healthy foods, like whole grains, but have been stripped of their healthiest parts – the bran and germ – leaving only the endosperm. Without the bran and germ, 25% of a grain’s protein is lost in addition to the reduction of at least seventeen other key nutrients.