Complex carbohydrates are generally not as sweet to the taste as simple carbohydrates, although if you keep them in your mouth for a little while they do begin to taste sweet because the saliva breaks them down into simple sugars. Simple sugars taste sweet without the help of saliva because they are composed of only two linked molecules of sugar. There is evidence that the complex carbohydrates take longer to break down and absorb into the body than do simple sugars. As a result, the sugars from complex carbohydrates do not enter the bloodstream so quickly after a meal. The isulin release from the pancreas is not as vigorous, so you are less likely to have a large drop in blood sugar.
Complex carbohydrates are a very important part of our diets.
The Food Guide Pyramid recommends six to ten serving of carbohydrates per day. Foods that are high in complex carbohydrates are often good sources of other nutrients as well. In addition, eating a lot of dietary fiber has been associated with a lower incidence of heart disease and colon cancer.