It is known that complex carbohydrates provide more sustained energy over time than simple sugars such as sucrose. Complex carbohydrates are polysaccharides, which are long chains of smaller sugar molecules bonded together. Simple sugars are monosaccharides that contain only one molecule. Why do complex carbohydrates provide more energy over time versus simple carbohydrates?

Complex carbohydrates are made of many sugar units linked in long chains, so digestion must break those chains down before the sugars can be absorbed. This takes longer and releases multiple usable sugar units over time, giving a more sustained supply of energy. Choice A, “Complex carbohydrates have more chemical bonds to break,” best describes this; the foods do not provide energy because their bonds contain extra thermal energy, as choice B suggests.

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