Difference between Carbohydrates and Fats
Carbohydrates and fats are essential components of the body. But, they are different in their functions. Let us learn about the differences between carbohydrates and fats here.
Carbohydrates and fats are essential macronutrients for developing the body and maintaining bodily functions. Carbohydrates and fats both provide energy to the body, but there are certain differences between carbohydrates and fats, and we will be discussing those differences in this article.
Before moving on to the differences, let’s first know what carbohydrates and fats are.
What are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are one of the main macronutrients that are obtained from food sources apart from proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are broken down into the simpler form of glucose in the body.
Glucose is the source of energy for the body and it is essential for the functioning of cells, tissues and organs. There are three main types of carbohydrates namely sugars, starches and fibres.
What are Fats?
Fats are one of the main macronutrients that are essential for the functioning of the human body. Fats are formed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and are calorie dense as they provide 9 calories of energy per gram as compared to carbohydrates and protein which provide 4 calories of energy per gram.
Fats are mainly of four types: saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats and trans fats.
Now that we have got a basic idea about carbohydrates and fats. Let us now look at the difference between carbohydrates and fats below.
Carbohydrates vs Fats: Key Differences
The following are the key differences between carbohydrates and fats:
| Parameters | Carbohydrates | Fats |
| Composition | Carbohydrates are made up of glucose | Fats are made up of fatty acids and glycerol |
| Solubility | Carbohydrates are soluble in water (except fibres) | Fats are insoluble in water |
| Functions | To provide energy to the body | To store energy for the body and use it in times of need |
| Absorption of Vitamins | Carbohydrates do not help in the absorption of vitamins | Fats help in the absorption of vitamins such as A, D, E and K |
| Nature | Carbohydrates are hydrophilic in nature | Fats are hydrophobic in nature |
| Calories Provided | Carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram | Fats provide 9 calories per gram |
| Storage | Carbohydrates are stored as glucose in the liver | Fats are stored in the adipose tissue |
| Sources | The sources of carbohydrates are rice, wheat, sugar, potatoes etc | The sources of fat are cheese, ghee (clarified butter), fish, eggs and nuts |
| Requirement in the human body | About 40-60% of the diet should be comprised of carbohydrates | About 20-30% of the diet should comprise of fats. |
| Diseases caused | Excess consumption of sugar can lead to type II diabetes, high blood pressure and fatty liver disease | Excess consumption of saturated fats can cause blockage of arteries, cardiovascular diseases and stroke. |
Note: Some types of carbohydrates such as fibres are insoluble in nature.
From the above table, we could understand that both carbohydrates and fats are essential for the functioning of the human body. We also learnt about the difference between carbohydrates and fats. For more such informative articles, stay connected with us.
Mriganka Chakraborty is a seasoned digital journalist and communications professional who is currently working as Deputy Manager at Jagran Josh, where he leads the General Knowledge Section. As a subject matter expert with 8+ years of editorial experience, he has created authoritative content that is trusted by millions of readers around the world in Science, History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Sports, and Technology. His extensive expertise in these subjects enables him to present complex topics in an engaging, accurate, and reader-friendly manner to a global audience, making learning addictive and fun.
His background in a wide range of content areas and his ability to move between them make him a trusted voice to readers who want reliable, well-researched content across a variety of disciplines.
In his leisure time, Mriganka enjoys reading fiction novels and watching action and thriller movies, and cricket, which not only hone his storytelling skills but also keep his editorial vision fresh and dynamic.
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