Carbohydrate Apr 2026

They are the body’s primary fuel. The digestive system breaks them down into glucose, which provides immediate energy for cells.

, often referred to as "carbs," are biological molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The name literally means "hydrated carbon" because they typically follow a chemical ratio of one carbon atom to one water molecule ( Key Functions carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are essential to life and serve several critical roles: They are the body’s primary fuel

They provide physical structure, such as cellulose in plant cell walls and chitin in insect exoskeletons. which provides immediate energy for cells.

Physiology, Carbohydrates - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH

Plants store extra energy as starch , while humans and other animals store it as glycogen in the liver and muscles.