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Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates — love 'em or hate 'em, you can't live without them. But carbs are more than just bread and pasta. When it comes down to it, they're the molecules your brain and body need for fuel. To keep up with all things carbohydrates, check out the most interesting carb discoveries, from how many carbohydrates you should really eat, to what's going on down at the molecular level.

Related Topics: Sugar, Food, Nutrition Science

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image shows a variety of carbohydrates including pasta, bread and legumes

Good carbs vs bad carbs: What you need to know

By Maddy Biddulph published 23 June 22

We break down the differences between good carbs vs bad carbs – and which ones you should be eating

What are carbohydrates?

By Jessie Szalay, Scott Dutfield last updated 20 July 22

Reference Carbohydrates — one of the basic food groups — are the sugars, starches and fibers found in fruits, grains, vegetables and milk products. They are important to a healthy diet.

A salad with chicken and avocado as a low-carb diet meal.

Low-Carb Diets May Burn More Calories

By Rachael Rettner published 14 November 18

Keeping weight off may be about more than just "calories in and calories out."

Eating Some Carbs, But Not Too Many, Could Help You Live Longer, Study Suggests

By Rachael Rettner published 17 August 18

Eating carbohydrates in moderation may be best for boosting longevity.

Your Gut Bacteria May Make It Harder to Lose Weight

By Rachael Rettner published 1 August 18

People's gut bacteria may play a role in determining how easy, or difficult, it is for them to lose weight, a new study suggests.

Can Eating Pasta Really Help You Lose Weight?

By Rachael Rettner published 4 April 18

Is this mainstay of Italian cuisine really good for your waistline?

Sleeping More May Curb Sugar Cravings, Really

By Samantha Mathewson published 10 January 18

Is the trick to cutting cravings for sugary foods as simple as getting a good night's sleep? A new small study from the United Kingdom suggests that may be the case.

Facts About Barium

By Carol Stoll published 7 November 17

Properties, sources and uses of the element barium.

How Sugary Drinks May Change the Way Your Body Burns Fat

By Sara G. Miller published 21 July 17

Washing down your bacon cheeseburger with a big, cold soda may trigger the body to store more fat than it would if you drank something without sugar, a new small study finds.

Carbs Could Cause Trouble for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

By Sara G. Miller published 8 May 17

Certain types of carbohydrates may worsen symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.

New Diet Book 'Always Hungry?' Renews Debate Over Calories

By Sara G. Miller published 9 February 16

Do calories count? A new book suggests they're not the only factor when it comes to weight.

Imagining Strange New Lifeforms May Reveal Our Own Origins

By Michael Page published 25 September 15

The origin of life is still an unsolved riddle. How were life's building blocks first assembled?

Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb Diets: Which Trims More Fat?

By Agata Blaszczak-Boxe published 13 August 15

Following a low-fat diet may help dieters lose more body fat than following a low-carb diet, according to a new study.

Heart Disease and Diabetes Risks Tied to Carbs, Not Fat, Study Finds

By Christopher Wanjek published 2 December 14

In what seems contrary to most diet advice, a small new study shows that doubling the saturated fat in a person's diet does not drive up the levels of saturated fat in the blood.

The total cost of obesity to U.S. companies is estimated at $13 billion a year

Americans Favor Low-Fat Diet Over Low-Carb

By Rachael Rettner published 29 July 14

Despite the popularity of low-carb diets, more Americans still say they try to avoid fat than carbs, according to a new poll.

Vegetable Fat May Help Prostate Cancer Patients Live Longer

By Rachael Rettner published 10 June 13

Swapping animal fat for vegetable fat may lower the risk of death for prostate cancer patients.

Could a High-Fat, Low-Carb Diet Someday Replace Dialysis?

By Amanda Chan published 30 May 13

The ketogenic is already used to control seizures in kids with epilepsy.

The Whole Truth About Whole Grains

By Deborah Enos published 30 May 13

Advice about eating carbohydrates can be confusing. Here's what you need to know.

Fad Facts: The Truth About the Dukan Diet

By Amanda Chan published 30 May 13

Can fad diets, like the Dukan Diet, really help you lose weight?

10 New Ways to Eat Well

By Maureen Salamon published 30 May 13

The boring, old rules of healthy eating are landing on the scrap heap as new research uncovers the intricate ways nutrients work within our bodies.