This text, focusing on carbohydrates, is part of a series studying the main nutrients that the human body needs to function healthily.

Each volume in the series looks at why the body needs a particular nutrient, how the body gets that nutrient out of the food we eat, and what happens to the body if it gets too much or too little of the different nutrients.

The volumes also examine the issues surrounding nutrition, such as eating disorders and special diets (including allergies and illnesses), additives and food labelling.

Food in different cultures is examined and there are case studies providing a range of examples.