Carbohydrates, protein and fats are the three key macronutrients in the human diet. Carbohydrates serve as an important source of energy and should be a part of every well-balanced diet. There are different types of carbohydrates humans can use as an energy source, and they are present in many foods.
Monosaccharides
Carbohydrates are essentially sugars that your body uses to provide energy. When you ingest carbohydrates, your body breaks them down into a kind of sugar your cells can use, known as glucose. The simplest carbohydrates are those that contain one type of sugar, known as monosaccharides. Some monosaccharides include fructose, a sugar commonly found in fruits, as well as galactose, a sugar commonly found in milk products. Foods sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, such as soft drinks, also contain monosaccharides.
Disaccharides
Disaccharides are a kind of carbohydrate that contains two types of sugars. Common table sugar, for example, is a disaccharide known as sucrose. Lactose is another commonly encountered disaccharide. It is typically found in dairy products such as milk and cheese but one can also be present in baked goods, salad dressings, candies and processed meats, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Oligosaccharides
Carbohydrates that contain more than two types of sugars are generally referred to as complex carbohydrates. One type of complex carbohydrate is oligosaccharides. These carbohydrates are found in foods such as legumes and contain sugars such as galactose, glucose and fructose. These sugars are bonded together, and your body is not able to break them down into simple sugars.
Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates commonly found in foods high in starches and dietary fiber. Foods such as potatoes, beans, bread, pasta and rice contain high amounts of polysaccharades, which allow your body to store a large amount of glucose. Indigestible polysaccharides, known as dietary fiber, include cellulose, a common sugar found in plants.
Member Comments