What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the body?

The primary function of carbohydrates in the body is to provide energy. Carbohydrates are a key macronutrient and are the body's main source of fuel. When consumed, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is utilized by the body's cells to produce energy necessary for various physiological processes, including movement, brain function, and maintaining bodily functions at rest.

Glucose derived from carbohydrates can also be stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen, which the body can later tap into when energy demands increase. This emphasizes the importance of carbohydrates in supplying immediate energy needs for both physical activity and metabolic processes.

While carbohydrates also have roles in digestion, muscle building, and regulating body temperature in more indirect ways, their primary and most direct function is to serve as an energy source. Other macronutrients and physiological mechanisms are more directly involved in those other functions.