Starches

Starches are complex carbohydrates from plant sources. Potatoes and legumes (such as peas and beans) are some examples of starches. Some types of starch, such as those found in pasta, can be digested in the intestine and provide glucose that can be absorbed into the blood. However, there are some starches (such as those found in kidney and black beans, peas, and lentils) that humans are unable to break down into glucose. These are called resistant starches. This type of starch does not increase the blood glucose level. In fact, if you replace digestible starch with resistant starch in a meal, you will have a lower glucose level and a lower insulin level than you'll have if you ate mainly digestible starch (Raben et al. 1994).