Real foods that have been refined to detach nutritional components like bran, germ and fiber are what we call refined carbohydrates.
Let's take a look at two examples of what is meant by processing and refining.
White flour is comprised of wheat grains that have been processed. The processing or milling grinds the whole gains into their constituent components bran (outer covering), germ (the embryo of the grain), and white flour. White flour looks more "pure", not tainted with the darker bran and germ. Moreover, the germ containes oils that turn rancid quickly if kept at room temperatures.
The white flour, obviously, has less nutritional value than the entire grain. It has less fiber, protein, iron, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, folacin, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and copper. White flour, nevertheless, supplies more calories and is higher on the glycemic index so it increases your blood sugar levels rapidly and then you crash with the sugar blues.
Beets are another food that has been refined. Whole beets are an excellent source of nutrients such as vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin C, and choline, folic acid, iodine, manganese, sodium, potassium, fiber, and digestible sugars. But, it is of course the sugars that interest us.
Harvested beets are finely sliced and immersed in hot water that allows for extracting the beet sugars. The beets are then removed from the water and pressed to get the last of the sugar juices. The fiber rich beet pulp is then dried and will become a component of animal feed. The sugar water and juice are evaporated and further processed, leaving behind the sugar crystals which are fed to humans.
Carbohydrates that are rich in fiber haven't been processed and retain their vitamin and mineral content. Vitamins and minerals are absorbed slowly and this helps prevent rapid increases in blood sugar. Carbohydrates with ample fiber include whole plants like fruits, vegetables and beans.
Refined carbohydrates that come in boxes, bottles and cans have had much of their fiber, vitamins and minerals removed.
So, why are processed carbohydrates so favorable?
The food processing industry is big business. And, nearly all processed foods include sugar in one form or another.
You are likely knowledgeable about examining package ingredients labels. You'll come across refined carbohydrates like raw sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, malt sugar, corn sweetener, and a host of other sugars. You'll hardly buy packaged foods lacking these ingredients. Nearly everything in these packages, bottles and cans experienced processing that removed nutritional components or had highly refined sugars added.
The refined carbohydrates have a splendid and lucrative history from the farm, on to the processing plants, to the baking and food processing and packaging plant, and finally to the transportation and distribution system on through the final retail marketing outlets.
Just envision what a major supermarket would look like devoid of all the refined carbohydrates in packaged foods and beverages. Why, it would practically look like a fruit and vegetable market.
Moreover, refined carbohydrates are a major factor producing development of fat tissue. The growth of fat tissue helps promote such diseases as type 2 diabetes, heart problems, hypertesion, osteoarthritis and cancer. Refined carbohydrates are a significant factor producing expansion and profitability of our medical industry.
The large and growing income within the food processing and medical industries make them key players in today's economy. And, this development of the economy is the reason refined carbohydrates are so good.
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You ought to learn more about healthy foods and weight loss to remain healthy, though it won't support the food processing and medical industries. You will feel better and live longer--which will be good for you.