Chapter 4: The Carbohydrates - Sugar, Starch, Glycogen and Fiber Flashcards
(30 cards)
Amazing nutrient that:
- meet body’s energy needs
- feed brain and nervous system
- keep digestive system fit
- keep your body lean (within calorie limits and regular physical activity)
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are comprised of:
- Digestible and indigestible carbohydrates
– Complex and simple carbohydrates
– Essential nutrient is glucose
Green plants use this to create glucose
Photosynthesis
Sources of carbohydrate-rich foods
plants and milk
simple carbohydrates are also called
sugars
single unit sugars
monosaccharides
- glucose (essential nutrient)
- fructose
- galactose
monosaccharides
two unit sugars
disaccharides
- maltose
- sucrose
- lactose
disaccharides
complex carbohydrates are also called
polysaccharides
- starch
- fiber
- glycogen
polysaccharides (thousands of glucose units can be used in these forms)
potential dietary sources for starch and fiber
plants
starch sources include:
whole grains, legumes, minimally processed starchy foods
fiber sources include:
whole grains, legumes, fresh and minimally processed fruits and vegetables
- stored energy source for plants (plant storage form of glucose)
- packed in granules in plant’s seeds
- important physical properties (holds water & swells; when wet, starch (like flour) becomes sticky; most digestible by human enzymes
Starch
- plant structures (stems, leaves, flowers, fruit, roots , etc.)
- human enzymes cannot digest fiber
- fiber digestion is done by bacteria in colon
Fiber
animal storage form of glucose
Glycogen
Glycogen is produced by, stored in, and used by:
- Brain cells (less than 1% of total)
- Liver cells (about 33% of total)
- Muscle cells (about 66%)
There are no dietary sources for
Glycogen
This is the only organ that can release glucose from its glycogen stores into the blood to support normal glucose blood levels
Liver
Carbohydrates are the critical and primary energy source for
nerve cells, red blood cells, and brain
Carbohydrates play a vital roles supporting body tissues through
mucus, cell to cell communication, support brain and nerve cell functioning
Excess glucose is converted into
Glycogen/Fat
fibers that dissolve in water
soluble fibers