A digestive carbohydrate, also known as a resistant starch, is a type of carbohydrate that escapes absorption from your intestines. Digestive carbohydrates are, therefore, a type of dietary fiber that have the ability to deliver some of the benefits of both insoluble fiber and soluble fiber. According to "Good Carbs Vs. Bad Carbs," a diet that includes digestive carbohydrates can help you burn fat and prevent feelings of hunger.
Classification
There are four types of resistant starch. RS1 is a physically inaccessible starch and includes some seeds, legumes and unprocessed whole grains. RS2 is a granular form of resistant starch that exists in green banana flour, uncooked potato and high amylose corn. RS3 is the resistant starch that results from of cooking and cooling starch-containing foods such as breads, legumes, cornflakes, retrograded high amylose corn and cooked-and-chilled potatoes. RS4 is a type of chemically modified resistant starch that can resist digestion.
Functional Fiber
According to "Starch in Food: Structure, Function and Applications," individuals who live in urban environments do not typically consume the optimal amount of fiber required for health and wellness. There are two types of fiber. Functional fiber is an isolated, nondigestible carbohydrate that has beneficial physiological effects in humans. Dietary fiber, on the other hand, is a nondigestible carbohydrate found in plants. Digestive carbohydrates are dietary fiber.
Importance
Your body requires digestive carbohydrates to function properly. Specifically, digestive carbohydrates benefit your intestinal and colonic health and have metabolic benefits that support glycemic management. According to "Starches: Characterization, Properties, and Applications," your body digests different classes of resistant starch differently and, therefore, the specific benefits of a digestive carbohydrate will depend on the type consumed.
Molecules
According to "Starches: Characterization, Properties, and Applications," certain molecules from digestive carbohydrates can pass through your intestinal tract unaltered. These molecules contribute to enhancing intestinal flora, controlling diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and can prevent cancer and improve bowel movements. Foods that contain digestive carbohydrate molecules include beans, potatoes, barley, corn, brown rice and under-ripe bananas.
References
- "Good Carbs Vs. Bad Carbs"; Maggie Greenwood-Robinson; 2004
- "Starch in Food: Structure, Function and Applications (Woodhead's Food Science, Technology and Nutrition)"; Ann-Charlotte Eliasson; 2004
- "Starches: Characterization, Properties, and Applications"; Andrea Bertolini; 2009
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