Which type of carbohydrate is digested and absorbed more quickly?

Simple carbohydrates are digested and absorbed more quickly than other types of carbohydrates due to their chemical structure. They are composed of one or two sugar units, making them easier for the body to break down. This rapid digestion leads to a quicker release of glucose into the bloodstream, providing a swift source of energy.

In contrast, complex carbohydrates, such as glycogen and starch, consist of longer chains of sugar molecules, which require more time and effort for the body to break down. Fiber, while beneficial for digestive health, is not digested in the same way and does not provide energy directly since it passes through the digestive system largely intact. Thus, while starch is a type of complex carbohydrate that can be broken down into simple sugars, it still does not offer the immediacy in absorption that simple carbohydrates do.