Carbohydrates are one of the major sources of calories in the body and come in multiple forms. One type of carbohydrate is the sugar group of carbohydrates. Sugars can be found naturally in many foods and may also function as an additive. It is important to only consume sugar in moderate amounts, as too much sugar can negatively impact your health.
Monosaccharides and Disaccharides
Sugars are the basic form of carbohydrates. All of the carbohydrates are essentially made out of chains of sugar molecules, so complex carbohydrates, such as starch, are created by linking together several molecules of glucose, a sugar. There are three common monosaccharides, which only contain one sugar molecule: glucose, galactose and fructose.
Disaccharides are made by linking together two sugar molecules; the three most common disaccharides are sucrose, maltose and lactose.
Natural Sources
Some sugars occur naturally in foods. For example, lactose is in milk and other dairy products. Fructose is commonly in fruit and is responsible for its sweet taste. Sugars are also naturally in some vegetables and in honey. When you get sugars from fruits, vegetables and milk, you are also getting important vitamins and minerals along with the sugar. Honey also contains a small amount of vitamins.
Added Sugars
Added sugars are sugars which aren't naturally occurring in food. Sugars may be added to enhance the flavor or add bulk and texture to foods. Added sugars can also help preserve jams and jellies or reduce the acidity of foods that contain vinegar or tomatoes. Added sugars can come in many forms, such as corn syrup, brown sugar, malt syrup, sucrose, molasses, high-fructose corn syrup, dextrose, maltose, and fruit juice concentrates.
Sugars and Health
It can be bad for you to eat too much sugar, particularly if you consume foods with sugar added, as the added sugar does not add any nutrients. Eating too much sugar can add unnecessary calories to your diet, causing you to gain weight. Added sugar can also contribute to tooth decay. Added sugars can also lead to poor nutrition and increased levels of a type of lipid known as triglycerides, which can increase your risk of developing heart disease.
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