Modern Day Carbohydrates
The unrefined whole carbohydrates (whole grains, fruits and vegetables) provide starches, fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. Starches are broken down into glucose or glycogen and used or stored. Fiber binds to toxins and is important in moving undigested matter through the intestinal tract. Another very significant effect fiber has is to slow down the digestion and absorption of sugars. Unrefined CHOs are also abundant in vitamins and minerals which are important micronutrients needed for many functions in the body.
Refined CHOs are stripped down and have very little, if any, fiber, vitamins or minerals. What is left is the starch and protein. White wheat flour and white rice are the most abundantly used examples of this food type.