Carbohydrates are important suppliers of energy. We’ll show you the difference between short and long chain carbohydrates and explain how they affect your body.
Carbohydrates (saccharides) are chemical compounds made of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. In addition to proteins and fats, they are one of the three macronutrients and are the most important energy suppliers in human nutrition. They also help to store energy in the body and supply it with important building materials. Basically, carbohydrates are divided into two categories: short-chain and long-chain carbohydrates.
Short and Long Chain Carbohydrates: What’s the Difference?
1. Short-chain carbohydrates:
Single and double sugars are combined into short-term carbohydrates:
Simple sugars consist of only one single molecule. These are, for example, glucose (dextrose) and fructose (fruit sugar). You can find these in fruits, for example.
Disaccharides are formed from two linked molecules. These include, for example, lactose (milk sugar) or maltose (malt sugar).
They are characterized by their sweet taste.
The following foods are mainly short-chain carbohydrates:
fruit (especially fructose)
Dairy products (lactose)
Household, cane, beet sugar
lots of baked goods and cereals
Sweets
2. Long Chain Carbohydrates:
This group consists of the multiple sugars: They include all carbohydrates that consist of more than ten individual molecules.
The most important polysaccharide for our body is starch. It does not taste sweet compared to the short-term carbohydrates.
Dietary fibers also belong to this group. These are indigestible food components that are mainly found in plant-based foods and whole grain products. Dietary fiber is particularly important for your digestion and keeps you full in the long term.
Long-chain carbohydrates are particularly found in these foods:
oatmeal
whole grain products
potatoes
nuts
legumes
vegetables
