CARBOHYDRATES

 

Carbohydrates are the most common organic compound in the world. Carbohydrates are produced by green plants and photosynthetic microorganisms. The process of producing carbohydrates is called photosynthesis. It uses water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce carbohydrates in the chlorophyll with the help of solar energy. Oxygen  gas is produced also

6CO2+6H2O = 6C12H6O+6O2

Carbohydrates can be divided into three groups.They are monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.

Monosaccharides can again be divided into three groups. They are glucose, fructose and galactose. Although the chemical composition of these three monosaccharides is the same, there are slight differences in the bonds between the atoms.

Ripe fruits and honey contain glucose. In the digestive system, glucose easily accumulates in the bloodstream. Fructose is the most common in ripe fruits. Therefore, it is also called fruit sugar. Unlike glucose, fructose is absorbed by the body very slowly. Most of the time, fructose goes to the intestines without being absorbed . It travels in the stomach. Therefore, fructose contributes minimally to raising the blood sugar level. Fructose that travels without being absorbed by the body provides a good source of nutrition for the beneficial bacteria in our body. These beneficial bacteria produce essential amino acids and vitamin B12. These amino acids and vitamins B12 is collected directly in the small intestine and in the large intestine as particles dissolved in water. Galactose is a type of carbohydrate found only in milk. Only milk and milk-related foods contain this. Galactose is easily absorbed into the blood like glucose.

A disaccharide is a molecule formed by combining two monosaccharides. In this process, a water molecule is removed.

6C12H6O+6C12H6O = C22H11O + 2HO

Disaccharides are mainly divided into three parts namely maltose, sucrose and lactose. Two glucose molecules combine to produce a maltose molecule and water molecules. A glucose molecule combines with a fructose molecule to form a sucrose molecule. Likewise, a glucose molecule combines with a galactose molecule to produce lactose molecules. These disaccharides are broken down into monosaccharides by the enzyme.

Polysaccharide molecules are special complex molecules formed by combining a monosaccharide chain. For example, starch, cellulose ,sectin,glycogen,inulin and chitin. Cereals and yam are rich in starch. Vegetables, fruits, grains and green vegetables are rich in fiber. The specialty of these fibers is Our body does not have the enzymes needed to digest fiber. Therefore, dietary fiber passes through the intestines without being absorbed into the bloodstream. These particles provide a good nutritional medium for the growth of beneficial bacteria in the body. The production of amino acids and vitamin B12 that our body needs is done by these bacteria. It helps to keep the process correct and thus reduces the risk of constipation and intestinal cancer. It also reduces the absorption of bad cholesterol in the body. In this way, there are many benefits of fiber. Sectin is abundant in fruits like guava and vegetables like carrots and beans. Glycogen is especially abundant in animal livers. Glucose contained in food becomes glycogen in the liver of animals. This glycogen is deposited in the liver and tissues. Inulin is abundant in artichokes. Chitin is contained in the outer shell of some animals like Prawns,Crabs. Unlike fiber, it is not digested in our body. However, chitin does not provide any of the benefits of fiber. Also, this carbohydrate causes allergies.