Carbohydrates

views updated Jun 11 2018

CARBOHYDRATES

CONCEPT

Carbohydrates are nutrients, along with proteins and other types of chemical compounds, but they are much more than that. In addition to sugars, of which there are many more varieties than ordinary sucrose, or table sugar, carbohydrates appear in the form of starches and cellulose. As such, they are the structural materials of which plants are made. Carbohydrates are produced by one of the most complex, vital, and amazing processes in the physical world: photosynthesis. Because they are an integral part of plant life, it is no wonder that carbohydrates are in most fruits and vegetables. And though they are not a dietary requirement in the way that vitamins or essential amino acids are, it is difficult to eat without ingesting some carbohydrates, which are excellent sources of quick-burning energy. Not all carbohydrates are of equal nutritional value, however: in general, the ones created by nature are good for the body, whereas those produced by human interventionsome forms of pasta and most varieties of bread, white rice, crackers, cookies, and so forthare much less beneficial.

HOW IT WORKS

What Carbohydrates Are

Carbohydrates are naturally occurring compounds that consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and are produced by green plants in the process of undergoing photosynthesis. In simple terms, photosynthesis is the biological conversion of light energy (that is, electromagnetic energy) from the Sun to chemical energy in plants. It is an extremely complex process, and a thorough treatment of it involves a great deal of technical terminology. Although we discuss the fundamentals of photosynthesis later in this essay, we do so only in the most cursory fashion.

Photosynthesis involves the conversion of carbon dioxide and water to sugars, which, along with starches and cellulose, are some of the more well known varieties of carbohydrate. Sugars can be defined as any of a number of water-soluble compounds, of varying sweetness. (What we think of as sugarthat is, table sugaris actually sucrose, discussed later.) Starches are complex carbohydrates without taste or odor, which are granular or powdery in physical form. Cellulose is a polysaccharide, made from units of glucose, that constitutes the principal part of the cell walls of plants and is found naturally in fibrous materials, such as cotton. Commercially, it is a raw material for such manufactured goods as paper, cellophane, and rayon.

MONOSACCHARIDES.

The preceding definitions contain several words that also must be defined. Carbohydrates are made up of building blocks called monosaccharides, the simplest type of carbohydrate. Found in grapes and other fruits and also in honey, they can be broken down chemically into their constituent elements, but there is no carbohydrate more chemically simple than a monosaccharide. Hence, they are also known as simple sugars or simple carbohydrates.

Examples of simple sugars include glucose, which is sweet, colorless, and water-soluble and appears widely in nature. Glucose, also known as dextrose, grape sugar, and corn sugar, is the principal form in which carbohydrates are assimilated, or taken in, by animals. Other monosaccharides include fructose, or fruit sugar, and galactose, which is less soluble and sweet than glucose and usually appears in combination with other simple sugars rather than by itself. Glucose, fructose, and galactose are isomers, meaning that they have the same chemical formula (C6H12O6), but different chemical structures and therefore different chemical properties.

DISACCHARIDES.

When two monosaccharide molecules chemically bond with each other, the result is one of three general types of complex sugar: a disaccharide, oligosaccharide, or polysaccharide. Disaccharides, or double sugars, are composed of two monosaccharides. By far the most well known example of a disaccharide is sucrose, or table sugar, which is formed from the bonding of a glucose molecule with a molecule of fructose. Sugar beets and cane sugar provide the principal natural sources of sucrose, which the average American is most likely to encounter in refined form as white, brown, or powdered sugar.

Another disaccharide is lactose, or milk sugar, the only type of sugar that is produced from animal (i.e., mammal) rather than vegetable sources. Maltose, a fermentable sugar typically formed from starch by the action of the enzyme amylase, is also a disaccharide. Sucrose, lactose, and maltose are all isomers, with the formula C12H22O11.

OLIGOSACCHARIDES AND POLYSACCHARIDES.

The definitions of oligosaccharide and polysaccharide are so close as to be confusing. An oligosaccharide is sometimes defined as a carbohydrate containing a known, small number of monosaccharide units, while a polysaccharide is a carbohydrate composed of two or more monosaccharides. In theory, this means practically the same thing, but in practice, an oligosaccharide contains 3-6 monosaccharide units, whereas a polysaccharide is composed of more than six.

Oligosaccharides are found rarely in nature, though a few plant forms have been discovered. Far more common are polysaccharides ("many sugars"), which account for the vast majority of carbohydrate types found in nature. (See Where to Learn More for the Nomenclature of Carbohydrates Web site, operated by the Department of Chemistry at Queen Mary College, University of London. A glance at the site will suggest something about the many, many varieties of carbohydrates.)

Polysaccharides may be very large, consisting of as many as 10,000 monosaccharide units strung together. Given this vast range of sizes, it should not be surprising that there are hundreds of polysaccharide types, which differ from one another in terms of size, complexity, and chemical makeup. Cellulose itself is a polysaccharide, the most common variety known, composed of numerous glucose units joined to one another. Starch and glycogen are also glucose polysaccharides. The first of these polysaccharides is found primarily in the stems, roots, and seeds of plants. As for glycogen, this is the most common form in which carbohydrates are stored in animal tissues, particularly muscle and liver tissues.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis, as we noted earlier, is the biological conversion of light or electromagnetic energy from the Sun into chemical energy. It occurs in green plants, algae, and some types of bacteria and requires a series of biochemical reactions. Higher plants have structures called chloroplasts, which contain a dark green or blue-black chemical known as chlorophyll. Light absorption by chlorophyll catalyzes, or speeds up, the process of photosynthesis. (A catalyst is a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without participating in it.)

In photosynthesis, carbon dioxide and water react with each other in the presence of light and chlorophyll to produce a simple carbohydrate and oxygen. This is one of those statements in the realm of science that at first glance sounds a bit dry and boring but which, in fact, encompasses one of life's great mysteriesa concept far more captivating than any number of imaginary, fantastic, or pseudoscientific ideas one could concoct. Photosynthesis is one of the most essential life-sustaining processes, making possible the nutrition of all things and the respiration of animals and other oxygen-breathing organisms.

In photosynthesis, plants take a waste product of human and animal respiration and, through a series of chemical reactions, produce both food and oxygen. The food gives nourishment to the plant, which, unlike an animal, is capable of producing its own nutrition from its own body with the aid only of sunlight and a few chemical compounds. Later, when the plant is eaten by an animal or when it dies and is consumed by bacteria and other decomposers, it will pass on its carbohydrate content to other creatures. (See Food Webs for more about plants as autotrophs and the relationships among primary producers, consumers, and decomposers.)

A carbohydrate is not the only useful product of the photosynthetic reaction. The reaction produces an extremely important waste by-productwaste, that is, from the viewpoint of the plant, which has no need of oxygen. Yet the oxygen it generates in photosynthesis makes life possible for animals and many single-cell life-forms, which depend on oxygen for respiration.

THE PHOTOSYNTHESIS EQUATION.

The photosynthesis reaction can be represented thus as a chemical equation:

Note that the arrow indicates that a chemical reaction has taken place with the assistance of light and chlorophyll. In the same way, heat from a Bunsen burner may be required to initiate some other chemical reaction, without actually being part of the reactants to the left of the arrow. In the present equation, neither the added energy nor the catalyst appears on the left side, because they are not actual physical participants consumed in the reaction, as the carbon dioxide and water are. The catalyst does not participate in the reaction, whereas the energy, while it is consumed in the reaction, is not a material or physical participantthat is, it is energy, not matter.

One might also wonder why the equation shows six molecules of carbon dioxide and six of water. Why not one of each, for the sake of simplicity? To produce a balanced chemical equation, in which the same number of atoms appears on either side of the arrow, it is necessary to show six carbon dioxide molecules reacting with six water molecules to produce six oxygen molecules and a single glucose molecule. Thus, both sides contain six atoms of carbon, 12 of hydrogen, and 18 of oxygen.

The equation gives the impression that photosynthesis is a simple, one-step process, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the process occurs one small step at a time. It also involves many, many intricacies and aspects that require the introduction of scores of new terms and ideas. Such a discussion is beyond the scope of the present essay, and therefore the reader is encouraged to consult a reliable textbook for further information on the details of photosynthesis.

REAL-LIFE APPLICATIONS

Fruits and Vegetables

One of the principal ways in which people obtain carbohydrates from their diets is through fruits and vegetables. The distinctions between these two are based not on science but on custom. Traditionally, vegetables are plant tissues (which may be sweet, but usually are not), that are eaten as a substantial part of a meal's main course. By contrast, fruits are almost always sweet and are eaten as desserts or snacks. It so happens, too, that people are much more likely to cook vegetables than they are fruits, though vegetables are nutritionally best when eaten raw.

Fruits and vegetables are heavy in carbohydrate content, in the form of edible sugars and starches but also inedible cellulose, whose role in the diet will be examined later. In a fresh vegetable, for instance, water may account for about 70% of the volume, and proteins, fat, vitamins, and minerals may make up a little more than 5%, with nearly 25% taken up either by edible sugars and starches or by inedible cellulose fiber.

THE EXAMPLE OF THE ARTICHOKE.

Every fruit or vegetable one could conceivably eatand there are hundredscontains both edible carbohydrates, which are a good source of energy, and inedible ones, which provide fiber. An excellent example of this edible-inedible mixture is the globe, or French, artichokeCynara scolymus, a member of the family Asteraceae, which includes the sunflower. The globe artichoke (not to be confused with the Jerusalem artichoke, or Helianthus tuberosus ) appears in the form of an inflorescence, or a cluster of flowers. This vegetable usually is steamed, and the bracts, or leaves, are dipped in butter or another sauce.

Not nearly all of the bract is edible, however; to consume the starchy "meat" of the artichoke, which has a distinctive, nutty flavor, one must draw the leaves between the teeth. Most of the artichoke's best parts are thus hidden away, and the best part of allthe tender and fully edible "heart"is enclosed beneath an intimidating shield of slender thistles. Whoever first discovered that an artichoke could be eaten must have been a brave person indeed, and whoever ascertained how to eat it was a wise one. Thanks to these adventurous souls, the world's cuisine has an unforgettable delicacy.

THE CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT OF VEGETABLES.

In terms of edible carbohydrate content, the artichoke has a low percentage. A few vegetables have a smaller percentage of carbohydrates, whereas others have vastly higher percentages, as the list shown here illustrates. In general, it seems that the carbohydrate content of vegetables (and in each of these cases we are talking about edible carbohydrates, not cellulose) is in the range of about 5-10%, somewhere around 20%, or a very high 60-80%. There does not seem to be a great deal of variation in these ranges.

Water, Protein, and Carbohydrate Content of Selected Vegetables:

  • Artichoke: 85% water, 2.9% protein, 10.6% carbohydrate
  • Beets, red: 87.3% water, 1.6% protein, 9.9% carbohydrate
  • Celery: 94.1% water, 0.9% protein, 3.9% carbohydrate
  • Corn: 13.8% water, 8.9% protein, 72.2% carbohydrate
  • Lima bean: 10.3% water, 20.4% protein, 64% carbohydrate
  • Potato: 79.8% water, 2.1% protein, 17.1% carbohydrate
  • Red pepper: 74.3% water, 3.7% protein, 18.8% carbohydrate
  • Summer squash: 94% water, 1.1% protein, 4.2% carbohydrate

Starches

Not all the carbohydrates in these vegetables are the same. Some carbohydrates appear in the form of sugar and others in the form of inedible cellulose, discussed in the next section. In addition, some vegetables are high in starch content. As we noted earlier, starch is white and granular, and, unlike sugars, starches cannot be dissolved in cold water, alcohol, or other liquids that normally act as solvents.

Manufactured in plants' leaves, starch is the product of excess glucose produced during photosynthesis, and it provides the plant with an emergency food supply stored in the chloroplasts. Vegetables high in starch content are products of plants whose starchy portions happen to be the portions we eat. For example, there is the tuber, or underground bulb, of the potato as well as the seeds of corn, wheat, and rice. Thus, all of these vegetables, and foods derived from them, are heavy in the starch form of carbohydrate.

In addition to their role in the human diet, starches from corn, wheat, tapioca, and potatoes are put to numerous commercial uses. Because of its ability to thicken liquids and harden solids, starch is applied in products (e.g., cornstarch) that act as thickening agents, both for foods and nonfood items. Starch also is utilized heavily in various phases of the garment and garment-care industries to impart stiffness to fabrics. In the manufacture of paper, starch is used to increase the paper's strength. It also is employed in the production of cardboard and paper bags.

Cellulose

One of the aspects of fruits and vegetables to which we have alluded several times is the high content of inedible material, or cellulose. (Actually, it is ediblejust not digestible.) A substance found in the cell walls of plants, cellulose is chemically like starch but even more rigid, and this property makes it an excellent substance for imparting strength to plant bodies. Animals do not have rigid, walled cells, but plants do. The heavy cellulose content in plants' cell walls gives them their erect, rigid form; in other words, without cellulose, plants might be limp and partly formless. Like human bone, plant cell walls are composed of fibrils (small filaments or fibers) that include numerous polysaccharides and proteins. One of these polysaccharides in cell walls is pectin, a substance that, when heated, forms a gel and is used by cooks in making jellies and jams. Some trees have a secondary cell wall over the primary one, containing yet another polysaccharide called lignin. Lignin makes the tree even more rigid, penetrable only with sharp axes.

CELLULOSE IN DIGESTION.

As we have noted, cellulose is abundant in fruits and vegetables, yet humans lack the enzyme necessary to digest it. Termites, cows, koalas, and horses all digest cellulose, but even these animals and insect do not have an enzyme that digests this material. Instead, they harbor microbes in their guts that can do the digesting for them. (This is an example of symbiotic mutualism, a mutually beneficial relationship between organisms, discussed in Symbiosis.)

Cows are ruminants, or animals that chew their cudthat is, food regurgitated to be chewed again. Ruminants have several stomachs, or several stomach compartments, that break down plant material with the help of enzymes and bacteria. The partially digested material then is regurgitated into the mouth, where it is chewed to break the material down even further. (If you have ever watched cows in a pasture, you have probably observed them calmly chewing their cud.) The digestion of cellulose by bacteria in the stomachs of ruminants is anaerobic, meaning that the process does not require oxygen. One of the by-products of this anaerobic process is methane gas, which is foul smelling, flammable, and toxic. Ruminants give off large amounts of methane daily, which has some environmentalists alarmed, since cow-borne methane may contribute to the destruction of the ozone high in Earth's stratosphere.

Alhough cellulose is indigestible by humans, it is an important dietary component in that it aids in digestion. Sometimes called fiber or roughage, cellulose helps give food bulk as it moves through the digestive system and aids the body in pushing out foods and wastes. This is particularly important inasmuch as it helps make possible regular bowel movements, thus ridding the body of wastes and lowering the risk of colon cancer. (See Digestion for more about the digestive and excretory processes.)

Overall Carbohydrate Nutrition

A diet high in cellulose content can be beneficial for the reasons we have noted. Likewise, a healthy diet includes carbohydrate nutrients, but only under certain conditions. First of all, it should be understood that the human body does not have an essential need for carbohydrates in and of themselvesin other words, there are no "essential" carbohydrates, as there are essential amino acids or fatty acids.

On the other hand, it is very important to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, which, as we have seen, are heavy in carbohydrate content. Their importance has little do with their nutritional carbohydrate content, but rather with the vitamins, minerals, proteins, and dietary fiber that they contain. For these healthy carbohydrates, it is best to eat them in as natural a form as possible: for example, eat the whole orange, rather than just squeezing out the juice and throwing away the pulp. Also, raw spinach and other vegetables contain far more vitamins and minerals than the cooked versions.

SUGAR HIGHS AND FAT STORAGE.

Carbohydrates can give people a short burst of energy, and this is why athletes may "bulk up on carbs" right before competition. But if the carbohydrates are not quickly burned off, they eventually will be stored as fat. This is the case even with healthy carbohydrates, but the situation is much worse with junk-food carbohydrates, which offer only empty calories stripped of vitamin and mineral content. One example is a particular brand of candy bar that, over the years, has been promoted in commercials as a means of obtaining a quick burst of energy. In fact, this and all other white-sugar-based candies give only a quick "sugar high," followed almost immediately by a much lower energy "low"and in the long run by the accumulation of fat.

Fat is the only form in which the body can store carbohydrates for the long haul, meaning that the "fat-free" stickers on many a package of cookies or cakes in the supermarket are as meaningless as the calories themselves are empty. Carbohydrate consumption is one of the main reasons why the average American is so overweight. With an in active lifestyle, as is typical of most adults in modern life, all those French fries, cookies, dinner rolls, and so on have no place to go but to the fat-storage centers in the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Of all carbohydrate-containing foods, the least fattening, of course, are natural nonstarches, such as fruits and vegetables (assuming they are not cooked in fat). Next on the least-fattening list are starchy natural foods, such as potatoes, and most fattening of all are processed starches, whether they come in the form of rice, wheat, or potato products.

WHY YOU CAN EAT MORE CARBOHYDRATES THAN PROTEINS.

One of the biggest problems with starches is that the body can consume so many of them compared with proteins and fats. How many times have you eaten a huge plate of mashed potatoes or rice, mountains of fries, or piece after piece of bread? All of us have done it: with carbohydrates, and particularly starches, it seems we can never get enough. But how many times have you eaten a huge plate of nothing but chicken, steak, or eggs? Probably not very often, and if you have tried to eat too much of these protein-heavy foods at one time, you most likely started to get sick.

The reason is that when you eat protein or fat, it triggers the release of a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) in the small intestine. CCK tells the brain, in effect, that the body is getting fed, and if enough CCK is released, it signals the brain that the body has received enough food. If one continues to consume proteins or fats beyond that point, nausea is likely to follow. Carbohydrates, on the other hand, do not cause a release of CCK; only when they enter the bloodstream do they finally send a signal to the brain that the body is satisfied. By then, most of us have piled on more mashed potatoes, which are destined to take their place in the body as fat stores.

WHERE TO LEARN MORE

Carbohydrates. Hardy Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Akron (Web site). <http://ull.chemistry.uakron.edu/genobc/Chapter_17/>.

Dey, P. M., and R. A. Dixon. Biochemistry of Storage Carbohydrates in Green Plants. Orlando, FL: Academic Press, 1985.

Carpi, Anthony. "Food Chemistry: Carbohydrates." Visionlearning.com (Web site). <http://www.vision learning.com/library/science/chemistry-2/CHE2.5-carbohydrates.htm>.

Food Resource, Oregon State University (Web site). <http://food.orst.edu/>.

Kennedy, Ron. "Carbohydrates in Nutrition." The Doctors' Medical Library (Web site). <http://www.medicallibrary.net/sites/carbohydrates_in_nutrition.html>.

"Nomenclature of Carbohydrates." Queen Mary College, University of London, Department of Chemistry (Web site). <http://www.chem.qmw.ac.uk/iupac/2carb/>.

Snyder, Carl H. The Extraordinary Chemistry of Ordinary Things. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1998.

Spallholz, Julian E. Nutrition, Chemistry, and Biology. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1989.

Wiley, T. S., and Bent Formby. Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar, and Survival. New York: Pocket Books, 2000.

KEY TERMS

CARBOHYDRATES:

Naturally occur ring compounds, consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, whose primary function in the body is to supply energy. Included in the carbohydrate group are sugars, starches, cellulose, and various other substances. Most carbohydrates are produced by green plants in the process of undergoing photosynthesis.

CATALYST:

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without participating in it. Catalysts, of which enzymes are a good example, thus are not consumed in the reaction.

CELLULOSE:

A polysaccharide, made from units of glucose, that is the principal material in the cell walls of plants. Cellulose also is found in natural fibers, such as cotton, and is used as a raw material in manufacturing such products as paper.

COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATE:

A disaccharide, polysaccharide, or oligosaccharide. Also called a complex sugar.

DEXTROSE:

Another name for glucose.

DISACCHARIDE:

A double sugar, composed of two monosaccharides. Exam ples of disaccharides include the isomers sucrose, maltose, and lactose.

ENZYME:

A protein material that speeds up chemical reactions in the bodies of plants and animals.

FRUCTOSE:

Fruit sugar, a monosaccharide that is an isomer of glucose.

GALACTOSE:

A monosaccharide and isomer of glucose. Less soluble and sweet than glucose, galactose usually appears in combination with other simple sugars rather than by itself.

GLUCOSE:

A monosaccharide that occurs widely in nature and is the form in which animals usually receive carbohydrates. Also known as dextrose, grape sugar, and corn sugar.

GLYCOGEN:

A white polysaccharide that is the most common form in which carbohydrates are stored in animal tissues, particularly muscle and liver tissues.

GUT:

A term that refers to all or part of the alimentary canal, through which foods pass from the mouth to the intestines and wastes move from the intestines to the anus. Although the word is considered a bit crude in everyday life, physicians and bio logical scientists concerned with this part of the anatomy use it regularly.

ISOMERS:

Two substances that have the same chemical formula but differ in chemical structure and therefore in chemical properties.

LACTOSE:

Milk sugar. A disaccharide isomer of sucrose and maltose, lactose is the only major type of sugar that is produced from animal (i.e., mammal) rather than vegetable sources.

MALTOSE:

A fermentable sugar generally formed from starch by the action of the enzyme amylase. Maltose is a disaccharide isomer of sucrose and lactose.

MONOSACCHARIDE:

The simplest type of carbohydrate. Monosaccharides, which cannot be broken down chemically into simpler carbohydrates, also are known as simple sugars. Examples of monosaccharides include the isomers glucose, fructose, and galactose.

OLIGOSACCHARIDE:

A carbohydrate containing a known, small number of monosaccharide units, typically between three and six. Compare with polysaccharide.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS:

The biological conversion of light energy (that is, electromagnetic energy) from the Sun to chemical energy in plants. In this process, carbon dioxide and water are converted to carbohydrates and oxygen.

POLYSACCHARIDE:

A carbohydrate composed of more than six monosaccharides. A polysaccharide sometimes is defined as containing two or more monosaccharides, but this definition does little to distinguish it from an oligosaccharide.

SACCHARIDE:

A sugar.

SIMPLE SUGAR:

A monosaccharide, or simple carbohydrate.

STARCHES:

Complex carbohydrates, without taste or odor, which are granular or powdery in physical form.

SUCROSE:

Common table sugar (C12H22O11), a disaccharide formed from the bonding of a glucose molecule with a molecule of fructose. Sugar beets and cane sugar provide the principal natural sources of sucrose, which the average American is most likely to encounter in refined form as white, brown, or powdered sugar.

SUGARS:

One of the three principal types of carbohydrate, along with starches and cellulose. Sugars can be defined as any of various water-soluble carbohydrates of varying sweetness. What we think of as "sugar" (i.e., table sugar) is actually sucrose.

Carbohydrates

views updated May 09 2018

CARBOHYDRATES

CARBOHYDRATES. Plants manufacture and store carbohydrates as their main source of energy through photosynthesis. Once consumed, these organic compounds can be digested, absorbed, and metabolized, supplying humans or animals with energy. Carbohydrates provide roughly half of the total caloric intake of the average human diet. These calories may be used immediately for energy metabolism or may be transformed and stored as glycogen or fat to be used as an energy source as demanded. Dietary carbohydrates are comprised of a wide array of compounds ranging from the simple oneor two-unit sugars to the long chain starches, glycogen and cellulose. Carbohydrates can be classified as monosaccharides, di-and oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides.

Carbohydrate classification
Classification Number of sugar units** Examples
Monosaccharides 1 Glucose, galactose, fructose
Disaccharides 2 Sucrose, lactose, maltose
Oligosaccharides 210 Includes the disaccharides
Polysaccharides > 10 Glycogen, starch, cellulose
**A "sugar unit" is one monosaccharideeach unit is not necessarily the same monosaccharide. For example, sucrose consists of one glucose uni and one fructose unit.

Monosaccharides, often referred to as simple sugars, are the simplest form of carbohydrates and are seldom found free in nature. The three that can be absorbed by the human body include glucose, galactose, and fructose. Glucose is the most abundant of the monosaccharides and the most important nutritionally. It is the repeating monosaccharide unit in starch, glycogen, and cellulose, and is found in all edible disaccharides.

Oligosaccharides are short chains of monosaccharide units that are joined by glycosidic bonds. They generally have between two to ten units, with the disaccharides, those chains containing two units, being the most abundant. The most common disaccharides include:

Sucrose (from table, cane, and beet sugars), consisting of glucose and fructose
Lactose (from milk sugar), consisting of glucose and galactose
Maltose (from malt sugar), consisting of two glucose units

Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharide units. The major polysaccharides include the digestible forms (glycogen and starch) and nondigestible forms (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, and gums).

Starch is the most common digestible polysaccharide found in plants. It can be found in two formsamylose and amylopectin. Amylose is a linear, unbranched molecule that is bound solely by a-1,4 glycosidic bonds. Amylopectin, which makes up the greatest percent of the total starch content, is branched with a-1,6 bonds at the branch points.

Glycogen is the major storage form of carbohydrates in animals, found primarily in the liver and skeletal muscle. When energy intake exceeds energy expenditure, excess calories from fat, protein, and carbohydrate can be used to form glycogen. It is made up of repeating glucose units and is highly branched. During times of fasting or in between meals, these chains can be broken down to single glucose units and used as an energy source for the body. Although found in animal tissue, animal products do not contain large amounts of glycogen because it is depleted at the time of slaughter due to stress hormones.

Cellulose is the major component of cell walls in plants. Just as starch and glycogen, it too is made up of repeating glucose molecules. However, the glycosidic bonds connecting the units are b-1,4. These bonds are resistant to mammalian digestive enzymes rendering cellulose, and other substances containing these bonds, indigestible. Thus, cellulose is not considered to be a significant source of energy for the body. However, as a fiber, it is important for intestinal bacteria.

Since cellulose is a major part of the plant cell wall, it also encases some of the starch, preventing the digestive enzymes from reaching it and decreasing the digestibility of some raw foods such as potatoes and grains. Cooking causes the granules to swell and also softens and ruptures the cellulose wall, allowing the starch to be digested.

Dietary Fiber

Fiber can be classified as soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber, which includes pectin and gums, dissolves in water to form a gel in the digestive tract. This increases the time the food is in the small intestine, thus increasing the chance of nutrients being absorbed. It is believed that soluble fiber plays a role in lowering blood LDL cholesterol. This could be due to the binding and increased excretion of fat and bile acid (a derivative of cholesterol) or other mechanisms not yet understood. Bacteria in the bowel can use fiber as a food source. These bacteria can degrade the fiber and release some components that can then be absorbed and used by the body. The increased nutrition for the bacteria can increase microbial growth, which can then lead to increased stool bulk, with little of the fiber actually found in the stool.

Insoluble fiber, including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin (a noncarbohydrate component of the cell wall that is often included as dietary fiber), absorbs water, thereby increasing the bulk and volume of the stool. It helps to speed the movement through the intestinal tract, preventing constipation, and is prescribed in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. It has also been shown that insoluble fibers bind fat-soluble carcinogens and remove them from the gastrointestinal tract, helping to decrease cancer risk.

Refined and processed foods have not only most of the fiber removed, but along with it many of the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals (chemicals found in plants believed to contain protective properties) that contribute to the health benefits of whole grain foods. The federal government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage individuals to include whole grain foods in their diet to ensure adequate fiber to promote proper bowel function, as well as to receive other added health benefits.

Digestion, Absorption, and Transportation

In order for carbohydrates to be absorbed by the intestinal mucosal cells, they must first be converted into monosaccharides. The digestive process begins in the mouth with salivary a-amylase that partially breaks down starch by hydrolyzing some of the a-1,4 bonds. However, the digestion that takes place here is of little significance since food remains in the mouth for only a brief period, although this may differ depending on chewing time. The enzyme continues to work for a short time in the stomach until the pH is lowered due to hydrochloric acid that inhibits the enzyme.

Examples of carbohydrate food sources
Monosaccharides
Glucose Fructose Galactose
Fruit High-fructose corn syrup Milk
Vegetables Honey Milk products
Honey Fruit 
Disaccharides
Sucrose Lactose Maltose
Table sugar Milk Beer
Maple sugar Milk products Malt liquor
Fruit  
Vegetables  
Honey  
Polysaccharides
Starch (rye, oats, wheat, rice, potatoes, legumes, cereals, bread)
Dietary Fiber
Soluble
Pectin Gums 
Fruits (apples, berries) Oats, barley 
Jams and jellies (additive) Ice cream (additive) Legumes 
Insoluble
Cellulose Hemicellulose Lignin
Whole wheat foods Whole grains Fruit
Bran  Seeds
Leafy vegetables  Bran, wheat Vegetables

The bulk of carbohydrate digestion occurs in the small intestine by pancreatic a-amylase. The pH of the small intestines is increased due to the addition of bicarbonate and bile, allowing the enzyme activity to occur. Specific disaccharidases located on the intestinal mucosal cells help to further break down the carbohydrates into the monosaccharides: glucose, fructose, and galactose.

Once the carbohydrates have been broken down, the monosaccharides can be absorbed by the mucosal cells. Glucose and galactose enter by active transport, which requires energy as well as specific receptors and carriers. Fructose is absorbed by facilitated diffusion. Like active transport, facilitated diffusion requires a specific carrier, but instead of needing energy, it relies on the low levels of fructose inside the cell to "pull" the fructose inside. Once transported through the intestinal wall, the monosaccharides enter the blood through the capillaries and are carried to the portal circulation and then to the liver.

Metabolism of Carbohydrates

The liver is the major site of galactose and fructose metabolism, where they are taken up, converted to glucose derivatives, and either stored as liver glycogen or used for energy immediately when needed. Although glucose is metabolized extensively in the liver, unlike galactose and fructose, it is also passed into the blood supply to be used by other tissues. Tissues like skeletal muscle and adipose tissue depend on insulin for glucose uptake, whereas the brain and liver do not. This dependence on insulin becomes a problem for diabetics who either cannot make insulin (IDDM) or are resistent to insulin (NIDDM). For individuals left untreated, dietary carbohydrates cause glucose levels to rise, resulting in hyperglycemia, which will lead to serious consequences if steps are not taken to correct it.

Once in the tissues, the fate of glucose depends on the energy demands of the body. Glucose can be metabolized through the glycolysis pathway to pyruvate where it is either converted to lactate or completely oxidized to CO2, H2O, and energy. Liver and skeletal muscle can convert excess glucose to glycogen through a pathway known as glycogenesis. The glycogen is stored after meals to be used as an energy source when energy demands are higher than intake. At this time the glycogen is broken down into individual glucose units, a process known as glycogenolysis, and the glucose can be metabolized further. Excess carbohydrates also can be used as a substrate for fat synthesis.

Carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy diet. They provide an easily available energy source, are an important vehicle for micronutrients and phytochemicals, help to maintain adequate blood glucose, and are important in maintaining the integrity and function of the gastrointestinal tract. Table 2 contains examples of foods that contain the various types of carbohydrates.

See also Digestion; Fiber, Dietary; Starch.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ettinger, Susan. "Macronutrients: Carbohydrates, Proteins and Lipids." In Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy, edited Kathleen L. Mahan and Sylvia Escott-Stump. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W. B. Saunders, 2000.

FAO/WHO. Carbohydrates in Human Nutrition : Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation, Rome, 1418 April 1997. Rome: World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 1998.

Guthrie, Joanne, and Joan Morton. "Food Sources of Added Sweetners in the Diets of Americans." Journal of the American Dietetic Association 100 (2000): 4348, 51.

Kiens, B., and E. A. Richter. "Types of Carbohydrates in an Ordinary Diet Affect Insulin Action and Muscle Substrates in Humans." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 63 (1996): 4753.

Macdonald, I. A. "Carbohydrate as a Nutrient in Adults: Range of Acceptable Intakes." European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 53 (1999): S101S106.

Debra Coward McKenzie Rachel K. Johnson


Starch

Starch from plants makes up about half of our dietary carbohydrates. Starch molecules can aggregate to form granules that differ by size and shape depending on the source of the starch, for example, corn, potato, and manioc. Although there is no difference in the nutritional value between the starches since all cooked starches are broken down in the body into glucose molecules, they do differ by characteristics such as solubility, flavor, and thickening power. Because of these characteristics, starch is often removed from the source to use commercially. For example, the starch can be removed from tubers such as potatoes and manioc (also known as cassava) through a wet milling process, or in the case of manioc, through leaching and drying. The potato starch is often used as a thickener or instead of cornstarch in recipes, while manioc is best known as tapioca.


Carbohydrates

views updated May 21 2018

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are one of three macronutrients that provide the body with energy (protein and fats being the other two). The chemical compounds in carbohydrates are found in both simple and complex forms, and in order for the body to use carbohydrates for energy, food must undergo digestion, absorption , and glycolysis . It is recommended that 55 to 60 percent of caloric intake come from carbohydrates.

Chemical Structure

Carbohydrates are a main source of energy for the body and are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen . Chlorophyll in plants absorbs light energy from the sun. This energy is used in the process of photosynthesis, which allows green plants to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen and allows for the production of carbohydrates. This process converts the sun's light energy into a form of chemical energy useful to humans. Plants transform carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air, water (H2O) from the ground, and energy from the sun into oxygen (O2) and carbohydrates (C6H12O6) (6 CO2 + 6 H2O + energy = C6H12O6 + 6 O2). Most carbohydrates have a ratio of 1:2:1 of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, respectively.

Humans and other animals obtain carbohydrates by eating foods that contain them. In order to use the energy contained in the carbohydrates, humans must metabolize , or break down, the structure of the molecule in a process that is opposite that of photosynthesis. It starts with the carbohydrate and oxygen and produces carbon dioxide, water, and energy. The body utilizes the energy and water and rids itself of the carbon dioxide.

Simple Carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates, or simple sugars, are composed of monosaccharide or disaccharide units. Common monosaccharides (carbohydrates composed of single sugar units) include glucose , fructose, and galactose. Glucose is the most common type of sugar and the primary form of sugar that is stored in the body for energy. It sometimes is referred to as blood sugar or dextrose and is of particular importance to individuals who have diabetes or hypoglycemia . Fructose, the primary sugar found in fruits, also is found in honey and high-fructose corn syrup (in soft drinks) and is a major source of sugar in the diet of Americans. Galactose is less likely than glucose or fructose to be found in nature. Instead, it often combines with glucose to form the disaccharide lactose, often referred to as milk sugar. Both fructose and galactose are metabolized to glucose for use by the body.

Oligosaccharides are carbohydrates made of two to ten monosaccharides. Those composed of two sugars are specifically referred to as disaccharides, or double sugars. They contain two monosaccharides bound by either an alpha bond or a beta bond. Alpha bonds are digestible by the human body, whereas beta bonds are more difficult for the body to break down.

There are three particularly important disaccharides: sucrose , maltose, and lactose. Sucrose is formed when glucose and fructose are held together by an alpha bond. It is found in sugar cane or sugar beets and is refined to make granulated table sugar. Varying the degree of purification alters the

Sugar Carbohydrate Monosaccharide or disaccharide Additional information
Beet sugar (cane sugar) Sucrose Disaccharide (fructose and glucose) Similar to white and powdered sugar, but varied degree of purification
Brown sugar Sucrose Disaccharide (fructose and glucose) Similar to white and powdered sugar, but varied degree of purification
Corn syrup Glucose Monosaccharide 
Fruit sugar Fructose Monosaccharide Very sweet
High-fructose corn syrup Fructose Monosaccharide Very sweet and inexpensive
Added to soft drinks and canned or frozen fruits
Honey Fructose and glucose Monosaccharides 
Malt sugar Maltose Disaccharide (glucose and glucose) Formed by the hydrolysis of starch, but sweeter than starch
Maple syrup Sucrose Disaccharide (fructose and glucose) 
Milk sugar Lactose Disaccharide (glucose and galactose) Made in mammary glands of most lactating animals
Powdered sugar Sucrose Disaccharide (fructose and glucose) Similar to white and brown sugar, but varied degree of purification
White sugar Sucrose Disaccharide (fructose and glucose) Similar to brown and powdered sugar, but varied degree of purification
SOURCE: Mahan and Escott-Stump, 2000; Northwestern University; Sizer and Whitney, 1997; and Wardlaw and Kessel, 2002.

final product, but white, brown, and powdered sugars all are forms of sucrose. Maltose, or malt sugar, is composed of two glucose units linked by an alpha bond. It is produced from the chemical decomposition of starch, which occurs during the germination of seeds and the production of alcohol. Lactose is a combination of glucose and galactose. Because it contains a beta bond, it is hard for some individuals to digest in large quantities. Effective digestion requires sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase.

Complex Carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates, or polysaccharides, are composed of simple sugar units in long chains called polymers. Three polysaccharides are of particular importance in human nutrition : starch, glycogen , and dietary fiber .

Starch and glycogen are digestible forms of complex carbohydrates made of strands of glucose units linked by alpha bonds. Starch, often contained in seeds, is the form in which plants store energy, and there are two types: amylose and amylopectin. Starch represents the main type of digestible complex carbohydrate. Humans use an enzyme to break down the bonds linking glucose units, thereby releasing the sugar to be absorbed into the bloodstream. At that point, the body can distribute glucose to areas that need energy, or it can store the glucose in the form of glycogen.

Glycogen is the polysaccharide used to store energy in animals, including humans. Like starch, glycogen is made up of chains of glucose linked by alpha bonds; but glycogen chains are more highly branched than starch. It is this highly branched structure that allows the bonds to be more quickly broken down by enzymes in the body. The primary storage sites for glycogen in the human body are the liver and the muscles.

Another type of complex carbohydrate is dietary fiber. In general, dietary fiber is considered to be polysaccharides that have not been digested at the point of entry into the large intestine. Fiber contains sugars linked by bonds that cannot be broken down by human enzymes, and are therefore labeled as indigestible. Because of this, most fibers do not provide energy for the body. Fiber is derived from plant sources and contains polysaccharides such as cellulose , hemicellulose, pectin, gums, mucilages, and lignins.

The indigestible fibers cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin make up the structural part of plants and are classified as insoluble fiber because they usually do not dissolve in water. Cellulose is a nonstarch carbohydrate polymer made of a straight chain of glucose molecules linked by beta bonds and can be found in whole-wheat flour, bran, and vegetables. Hemicellulose is a nonstarch carbohydrate polymer made of glucose, galactose, xylose, and other monosaccharides; it can be found in bran and whole grains. Lignin, a noncarbohydrate polymer containing alcohols and acids, is a woody fiber found in wheat bran and the seeds of fruits and vegetables.

In contrast, pectins, mucilages, and gums are classified as soluble fibers because they dissolve or swell in water. They are not broken down by human enzymes, but instead can be metabolized (or fermented) by bacteria present in the large intestine. Pectin is a fiber made of galacturonic acid and other monosaccharides. Because it absorbs water and forms a gel, it is often used in jams and jellies. Sources of pectin include citrus fruits, apples, strawberries, and carrots. Mucilages and gums are similar in structure. Mucilages are dietary fibers that contain galactose, manose, and other monosaccharides; and gums are dietary fibers that contain galactose, glucuronic acid, and other monosaccharides. Sources of gums include oats, legumes , guar, and barley.

Digestion and Absorption

Carbohydrates must be digested and absorbed in order to transform them into energy that can be used by the body. Food preparation often aids in the digestion process. When starches are heated, they swell and become easier for the body to break down. In the mouth, the enzyme amylase, which is contained in saliva, mixes with food products and breaks some starches into smaller units. However, once the carbohydrates reach the acidic environment of the stomach, the amylase is inactivated. After the carbohydrates have passed through the stomach and into the small intestine, key digestive enzymes are secreted from the pancreas and the small intestine where most digestion and absorption occurs. Pancreatic amylase breaks starch into disaccharides and small polysaccharides, and enzymes from the cells of the small-intestinal wall break any remaining disaccharides into their monosaccharide components. Dietary fiber is not digested by the small intestine; instead, it passes to the colon unchanged.

Sugars such as galactose, glucose, and fructose that are found naturally in foods or are produced by the breakdown of polysaccharides enter into absorptive intestinal cells. After absorption, they are transported to the liver where galactose and fructose are converted to glucose and released into the bloodstream. The glucose may be sent directly to organs that need energy, it may be transformed into glycogen (in a process called glycogenesis) for storage in the liver or muscles, or it may be converted to and stored as fat.

Glycolysis

The molecular bonds in food products do not yield high amounts of energy when broken down. Therefore, the energy contained in food is released within cells and stored in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a high-energy compound created by cellular energy-production systems. Carbohydrates are metabolized and used to produce ATP molecules through a process called glycolysis.

Glycolysis breaks down glucose or glycogen into pyruvic acid through enzymatic reactions within the cytoplasm of the cells. The process results in the formation of three molecules of ATP (two, if the starting product was glucose). Without the presence of oxygen, pyruvic acid is changed to lactic acid , and the energy-production process ends. However, in the presence of oxygen, larger amounts of ATP can be produced. In that situation, pyruvic acid is transformed into a chemical compound called acetyle coenzyme A, a compound that begins a complex series of reactions in the Krebs Cycle and the electron transport system. The end result is a net gain of up to thirty-nine molecules of ATP from one molecule of glycogen (thirty-eight molecules of ATP if glucose was used). Thus, through certain systems, glucose can be used very efficiently in the production of energy for the body.

Recommended Intake

At times, carbohydrates have been incorrectly labeled as "fattening." Evidence actually supports the consumption of more, rather than less, starchy foods. Carbohydrates have four calories per gram, while dietary fats contribute nine per gram, so diets high in complex carbohydrates are likely to provide fewer calories than diets high in fat. Recommendations are for 55 to 60 percent of total calories to come from carbohydrates (approximately 275 to 300 grams for a 2,000-calorie diet). The majority of carbohydrate calories should come from complex rather than simple carbohydrates. Of total caloric intake, approximately 45 to 50 percent of calories should be from complex carbohydrates, and 10 percent or less from simple carbohydrates.

Low-Carb Diets

Low-carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkins and South Beach diets, are based on the proposition that it's not fat that makes you fat. Allowing dieters to eat steak, butter, eggs, bacon, and other high-fat foods, these diets instead outlaw starches and refined carbohydrates on the theory that they are metabolized so quickly that they lead to hunger and overeating. This theory, which was first popularized in the nineteenth century, came under scathing criticism from the medical establishment during the early 1970s when Dr. Robert Atkins published the phenomenally popular low-carb diet bearing his name. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the Atkins diet was a "bizarre regimen" that advocated "an unlimited intake of saturated fats and cholesterol-rich foods" and therefore presented a considerable risk of heart disease. Most doctors recommended instead a diet low in fat and high in carbohydrates, with plenty of grains, fruits, and vegetables and limited red meat or dairy products. This became the received wisdom during the 1980s, at the same time that the U.S. waistline began to expand precipitously. As dieters found that weight loss was difficult to maintain on a low-fat diet, low-carb diets regained popularitywith as many as 30 million people trying a low-carb diet in 2003. Several small-scale studies began to suggest that a low-carb diet may indeed be effective and may not have the deleterious effects its detractors have claimed; other research found that any benefits of a low-carb diet are short-lived, and that the negative effects will take decades to become evident. The National Institutes of Health has pledged $2.5 million for a five-year study of the Atkins diet with 360 subjects. While the results of this and other large-scale studies are awaited, many researchers stress that the key issue in maintaining a healthy weight is the number of calories consumed, not the type of calories. The National Academy of Sciences recommends that adults obtain 45 to 65 percent of their calories from carbohydrates, 20 to 35 percent from fat, and 10 to 35 percent from protein.

Paula Kepos

It is important to consume a minimum amount of carbohydrates to prevent ketosis , a condition resulting from the breakdown of fat for energy in the absence of carbohydrates. In this situation, products of fat breakdown, called ketone bodies, build up in the blood and alter normal pH balance. This can be particularly harmful to a fetus. To avoid ketosis, daily carbohydrate intake should include a minimum of 50 to 100 grams. In terms of dietary fiber, a minimum intake of 20 to 35 grams per day is recommended.

Exchange System

The exchange system is composed of lists that describe carbohydrate, fat, and protein content, as well as caloric content, for designated portions of specific foods. This system takes into account the presence of more than one type of nutrient in any given food. Exchange lists are especially useful for individuals who require careful diet planning, such as those who monitor intake of calories or certain nutrients. It is particularly useful for diabetics, for whom carbohydrate intake must be carefully controlled, and was originally developed for planning diabetic diets.

Diabetes, Carbohydrate-Modified Diets, and Carbohydrate Counting

Diabetes is a condition that alters the way the body handles carbohydrates. In terms of diet modifications, diabetics can control blood sugar levels by appropriately managing the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in their meals. The amount of carbohydrates, not necessarily the source, is the primary issue. Blood glucose levels after a meal can be related to the process of food preparation, the amount of food eaten, fat intake, sugar absorption, and the combination of foods in the meal or snack.

One method of monitoring carbohydrate levelscarbohydrate countingassigns a certain number of carbohydrate grams or exchanges to specific foods. Calculations are used to determine insulin need, resulting in better control of blood glucose levels with a larger variety of foods. Overall, diabetic diets can include moderate amounts of sugar, as long as they are carefully monitored.

see also Diabetes Mellitus; Fats; Nutrients; Protein; Weight Loss Diets.

Catherine N. Rasberry

Bibliography

Bounds, Laura E.; Agnor, Dottiedee; Darnell, Gayden S.; and Shea, Kirstin Brekken (2003). Health and Fitness: A Guide to a Healthy Lifestyle, 2nd edition. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt.

Duyff, Roberta Larson (2002). American Dietetic Association: Complete Food and Nutrition Guide, 2nd edition. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.

Mahan, L. Kathleen, and Escott-Stump, Sylvia (2000). Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy, 10th edition. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.

Robbins, Gwen; Powers, Debbie; and Burgess, Sharon (2002). A Wellness Way of Life, 5th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Sizer, Frances, and Whitney, Eleanor (1997). Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 7th edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing.

Wardlaw, Gordon M., and Kessel, Margaret (2002). Perspectives in Nutrition, 5th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Wilmore, Jack H., and Costill, David L. (1999). Physiology of Sport and Exercise, 2nd edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Internet Resources

American Diabetes Association. <http://www.diabetes.org>

American Dietetic Association. <http://www.eatright.org>

Carpi, Anthony. "Carbohydrates." Visionlearning. Available from <http://www.visionlearning.com>

Kennedy, Ron. "Carbohydrates in Nutrition." Doctor's Medical Library. Available from <http://www.medical-library.net/sites>

Northwestern University, Department of Preventive Medicine. "Nutrition Fact Sheets: Carbohydrates." Available from <http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/nutrition>

Carbohydrates

views updated May 23 2018

Carbohydrates

Definition

Purpose

Description

Precautions

Interactions

Aftercare

Complications

Parental concerns

Resources

Definition

Carbohydrates are compounds that consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, linked together by energy-containing bonds. There are two types of carbohydrates: complex and simple. The complex carbohydrates, such as starch and fiber, are classified as

Carbohydrates

Refined and processed carbohydratesWhole grain and high-fiber carbohydrates
White bread100% whole wheat bread
White riceOatmeal
White potatoesBrown rice
PastaWhole wheat pasta
Sugary cerealsWhole grain crackers
Cinnamon toastPopcorn
SweetsCornmeal
JelliesHulled barley
CandyWhole wheat bulgur
Soft drinksBran cereals
SugarsRye wafer crackers
Fruit drinks (fruitades and fruit punch)English muffins Dry beans and peas
Cakes, cookies and piesNavy beans
Dairy dessertsKidney beans
Ice creamSplit peas
Sweetened yogurtLentils
Sweetened milkWhite beans
 Pinto beans
 Green peas
 Soybeans
 Whole fruits, fresh, frozen or canned
 Vegetables
 Low-fat milk

(Illustration by GGS Information Services/Thomson Gale)

polysaccharides. Simple carbohydrates are known as sugars and they are classified as either monosacchar-ides (one sugar molecule) or disaccharides (two sugar molecules).

Purpose

In the digestive tract, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which provides energy for the body’s cells and tissues. Glucose is the body’s primary source of fuel.

Description

Carbohydrates are one of the three major food groups, along with proteins and fats . They are essential to human life and health. Carbohydrates are either simple or complex. Both have four calories per gram, and both are further reduced by the body to glucose, but complex carbohydrates, which undergo most of their digestion in the large intestine, take longer to digest. Carbohydrates come almost exclusively from plants, vegetables, and grains. Milk is the only animal-based product that contains a significant amount of carbohydrate. Simple carbohydrates include the single sugars, or monosaccharides, and the double sugars, or disaccharides. The monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose. Disaccharides include lactose, which is made of glucose and galactose; maltose, made of two glucose units; and sucrose, made of glucose and fructose. Monosaccharides can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream, but disaccharides need to be broken down into their monosaccharide components before they can be absorbed.

When food is eaten, the digestion of carbohydrates begins in the mouth, where an enzyme in saliva breaks down starch molecules into the disaccharide maltose. The food then moves into the stomach where it mixes with the stomach’s acid and other juices. In the small intestine, starch is further broken down into disaccharides and small polysaccharides by an enzyme released from the pancreas. Cells lining the small intestine then secrete an enzyme that further splits these disaccharides and polysaccharides into monosaccharides. The cells lining the small intestine can absorb these monosaccharides, which are then taken to the liver. The liver converts fructose and galactose to glucose. If there is an excess of fructose or galactose, it may also be converted to fat. Lastly, the glucose is transported to the body’s cells by the circulatory system, where it can be used for energy.

When there is an excess of glucose, the muscle and liver cells often convert it to glycogen, which is the storage form of glucose. The muscles store two thirds of the body’s glycogen solely for themselves, and the liver stores the other one third, which can be used by the brain or other organs. When blood glucose levels decline, the body breaks down some of its glycogen stores, and uses the glucose for energy. If blood glucose (sugar) levels are too high, the excess glucose is taken to the liver where it is converted to glycogen and stored for future use.

Fiber

One of the complex carbohydrates, fiber, is a pol-ysaccharide in which the bonds holding it together cannot be digested by humans. Fiber can be either water-soluble or water-insoluble. Even though these compounds cannot be digested by humans, they serve several important functions. The main function of insoluble fiber is to bind bile acids, which reduces fat and cholesterol absorption. Sources of insoluble fiber include wheat bran, whole grains, and brown rice. Soluble fiber, which helps decrease low-density lipo-protein (LDL) cholesterol, also called the “bad” cholesterol, can be found in barley, fruit, legumes, and oats.

Fiber is an extremely important part of the diet. It aids in weight control by displacing calorie-dense fats in the diet. Fiber also absorbs water and slows the

KEY TERMS

Diabetes —A condition characterized by inadequate use of insulin preventing a person from controlling blood sugar levels.

Fructose —A monosaccharide known as fruit sugar.

Galactose —A monosaccharide known as milk sugar.

Glucose —A monosaccharide used for energy; also known as blood sugar.

Lactose —A disaccharide known as milk sugar.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) —The so-called bad cholesterol that contains a large amount of cholesterol and transports lipids (fats) to other tissues in the body.

Maltose —A disaccharide known as malt sugar.

Sucrose —A disaccharide known as table sugar.

Polysaccharides —Long chains of glucose units linked together.

movement of food through the digestive tract, promoting a feeling of fullness. Recommended intakes of fiber should be about 27 to 40 grams per day. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Dietary Guidelines were designed by health professionals to help consumers make nutritious food choices. The guidelines, released in 2005, replace the food pyramid that the USDA used for many years. Instead of recommending a certain number of servings per food group, as the food pyramid did, the new guidelines advise consumers to eat a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products; includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars. The guidelines recommend that 45–65% of total calories come from carbohydrates and that foods containing complex carbohydrates (such as whole-grains) are preferred over simple carbohydrates (such as table sugar and white flour.) As an example, one cup of whole-grain brown rice has more nutritional value and fiber that processed white rice.

Precautions

A common concern among consumers is that a high intake of carbohydrate-rich foods will cause weight gain. Consuming too much of any particular food can cause an increase in weight, but eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and grains will help promote weight management. General guidelines recommend that about 45–65% of daily calories come from carbohydrates. This percentage varies depending on age, general health, health problems (including being overweight or obese), and activity level.

Interactions

There are no known adverse dietary interactions associated with carbohydrates.

Aftercare

Registered dietitians and nutritionists are the professionals most qualified to educate individuals on the role of carbohydrates in a healthy diet, as well as the complications associated with low-carbohydrate intakes. Medical doctors, including endocrinologists (specialists that tread diseases of the endocrine (glands) system, including diabetes) and nursing professionals also play an important role in treating carbohydrate-related conditions such as diabetes, while dietitians serve to make recommendations concerning the nutritional needs of these individuals.

Complications

When carbohydrate intake is low, there is insufficient glucose production, which then causes the body to use its protein for energy. This ultimately prevents the body’s protein from performing its more important functions, such as maintaining the body’s immune system. Without carbohydrate, the body also goes into a state of ketosis, in which by-products of fat breakdown, called ketones, accumulate in the blood. This causes a shift in the acid-base balance of the blood, which can be fatal.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot metabolize carbohydrates, and either doesn’t make or doesn’t respond to insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas that is used to transport glucose to the body’s cells. In individuals with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas fails to produce insulin, thus causing blood glucose levels to remain the same after meals. This condition is known as hyperglycemia. These individuals must receive daily injections of insulin to control their blood glucose levels. In type 2 diabetes, there may be sufficient insulin, but the body’s cells may be resistant to it. Once again, this causes blood glucose levels to rise. Type 2 diabetes can be treated through oral medication and proper diet, although the need for insulin injections may develop later on. There is some disagreement in the medical community about the type of diet diabetics, especially type 1 diabetics, should be on. The conventional diet is one of low-fat, high-carbohydrate food, which is recommended by the American Diabetes Association. Some doctors, particularly endocrinologists, recommend the Bernstein diet, which is low in carbohydrates and high in fat, to maintain constant, normal blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Carbohydrate intolerance

Carbohydrate intolerance is the inability of the small intestine to completely process the nutrient carbohydrate (a classification that includes sugars and starches) into a source of energy for the body. This is usually due to deficiency of an enzyme needed for digestion. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest the sugar found in milk.

Parental concerns

Parents should consult their child’s pediatrician, physician, or endocrinologist if they are unsure the child’s diet has a nutritional balance of carbohydrates. A doctor also should be consulted before a child or adolescent goes on a low-carbohydrate diet (such as the Atkins, Zone, and Sugar Busters diets) for weight loss.

Resources

BOOKS

Collins, P.M. Dictionary of CarbohydratesBoca Raton, FL: Chapman & Hall, 2005.

Eliasson, Ann-Charlotte. Carbohydrates in Food (Second Edition) Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2006.

Stumpf, Walter, et al. Carbohydrates, Volume 14 (The Biochemistry of Plants)Burlington, MA: Academic Press, 2007.

Warshaw, Hope S., and Karen M. Bolderman. Practical Carbohydrate Counting Alexandria, VA: American Diabetes Association, 2007.

PERIODICALS

(No author) “Continuing Carb Controversy: Are Carbohydrates the Culprits in Diabetes and Obesity?”Food & Fitness Advisor (July 2006): 3.

Anderson, Owen. “Got Carbs? A New Twist on the Carbohydrate Conundrum.” National Geographic Adventure (August 2006): 34.

Anthony, Mark. “Glycemic Index: Use With Caution.”Food Processing (March 2006): 40–42.

Govindji, Azmina. “The Role of Carbohydrates in a Healthy Diet.”Nursing Standard (September 27, 2006): 56–64.

Moon, Mary Ann. “High-Carb, Low-Glycemic Index Diet Cuts Weight, Cardiac Risk.” Family Practice News (September 1, 2006): 15.

Shute, Nancy. “The Scoop on Carbs and Fats.” U.S. News & World Report (November 20, 2006): 89–90.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Academy of Family Physicians. 11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Leawood, KS 66207. Telephone: (800) 274-2237. Website: http://www.aafp.org

American College of Nutrition. 300 South Duncan Ave., Suite 225, Clearwater, FL 33755. Telephone: (727) 446-6086. Website: http://www.amcollnutr.org

American Diabetes Association. 1701 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311. Telephone: (800) 342-2383. Website: http://www.diabetes.org

American Dietetic Association. 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995. Telephone: (800) 877-1600. Website: http://www.eatright.org

American Society for Nutrition. 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814. Telephone: (301) 634-7050. Website: http://www.nutrition.org

United States Department of Agriculture; Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302. Telephone: (703) 305-2281. Website: http://www.fns.usda.gov

Ken R. Wells

Carbohydrates

views updated Jun 11 2018

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the fuel with which the body gains energy. Carbohydrates are the most prominent example of a substance that has a wide name recognition, but a lesser understanding of their actual role in human energy production.

Foods are generally classified for nutritional purposes into three groups: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. For the purposes of measuring how much fuel is involved in energy production, the calorie is the unit of measurement used.

Nutritionally, there are simple carbohydrates (found in foods such as granulated table sugar or fruits) and complex carbohydrates (those present in typically more densely constructed foods such as rice, pastas, whole grains, and many kinds of vegetables). Complex carbohydrates are valuable both as energy and as a mineral source. Protein is the material required by the body to build muscle, as well as to repair and maintain all bodily tissues. Excess protein consumption places stress upon the kidneys, creating potential deficiencies of the mineral calcium. Proteins are present in meat of most types, fish, soy, and dairy products.

Fats are essential to a healthy diet, as they are the source of fatty acids, which are crucial to the absorption by the body of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, and E. Fats also assist with the body' insulation and proper cell function.

As a general nutritional guideline, approximately from 60-65% of a healthy adult's caloric intake should be derived from carbohydrates; proteins should constitute 12-15%; and fat sources should be less than 30% of a properly balanced diet.

Carbohydrates are the substances that will produce the essential fuel for the demands of human movement. Carbohydrates are simple sugars, composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms present in a ratio of 1:2:1. These sugars, once extracted from digested foods, are water-soluble compounds that are the fundamental energy source for many forms of organic life. In the single sugar form, carbohydrates are monosaccharides, of which glucose and fructose are the best known. The polysaccharides, also known as starches, are converted upon ingestion by the human body for storage into glycogen; as glycogen, the sugars can be converted for later use as a fuel source. The primary storage locations of glycogen are the skeletal muscles and the liver.

While glycogen has a molecular structure similar to the starches found in certain green plants, there are few foods that contain glycogen; potato starches are closest in structure, and accordingly, potatoes have enjoyed a timeless reputation as a useful energy source for athletes. The complex carbohydrate starches are created in plants through the process of photosynthesis, whereby sunlight reacts with carbon and hydrogen atoms to create complex molecules. Plant products such as breads, pasta, cereals, beans, fruits, and vegetables will all possess varying amounts of carbohydrates.

Many diets and other nutritional references make mention of "good carbs" and "bad carbs." These descriptions are not a reflection on the chemistry of the particular carbohydrate being ingested as carbohydrates have a well-defined molecular structure. Good carbohydrates are generally those derived from whole, primarily unprocessed foods such as grains and vegetables. Consuming the requisite carbohydrates from these types of foods provides the added nutritional benefits of fiber, which assists in the good digestion of all foods in the human intestines, as well as providing vitamins essential to many metabolic processes. The so-called bad carbohydrates are those ingested through sugared, processed foods and snack foods, which have no nutritional value other than as a mediocre energy source. Excess carbohydrates, those that cannot be processed for immediate use in the bloodstream, or stored in the muscles or liver as glycogen, will be stored by the body as fat.

Carbohydrates enter the body as foods in a variety of forms; the processing, conversion, and storage of carbohydrates as usable energy begins in the mouth. Hydrolysis is the process by which water and heat will break down a substance; this mechanism is present in saliva and it continues with the fluids of the small intestine. There, the complex starches are reduced to simple glucose. The glucose passes through the wall of the small intestine where it is stored in the liver as glycogen. As much as 10% of the total weight of the liver can be stored glycogen; twice as much glycogen is stored in the muscles throughout the entire body. The liver serves an additional, regulatory purpose with respect to how much glucose is entering the bloodstream at any time.

Seventy-five percent of the glucose stored in the body will typically be directed to the functions of the brain, with the balance used for the purpose of red blood cell production and skeletal muscle and heart muscle activity.

The function of carbohydrates both as simple sugars as well as stored glycogen is determined largely by which of the body's energy systems is operational during athletic activity. The anaerobic energy system is the body's method for fueling itself in shorter, more intense types of activity, in which the presence of oxygen in the muscle cells is not required to produce energy. The anaerobic system has two aspects: the anaerobic alactic system and the anaerobic lactic system. The aerobic system is the energy system predominately used to fuel activity that occurs over a longer period.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the fuel either used or created by each of the energy systems. It is the source of ATP that distinguishes one system from another. The anaerobic alactic system is the process employed by the body for very fast, intense physical activity that lasts no longer than 15 seconds. All muscles have a small amount of ATP contained within them, which recharges in relatively short periods; in this alactic system, the ATP is a form of instant energy to the muscle.

In the anaerobic lactic system, muscle glycogen (the stored complex sugars) break down into simple glucose, which produces ATP and provides the muscle with energy. The creation of ATP is a slower process than the simple access to ATP in the cell as in the alactic system. For as long as there is muscle glycogen present, ATP energy will be produced; the usual duration of the muscle glycogen/ATP process is from 60 to 90 seconds. As this conversion to ATP energy occurs outside of the muscle cell, oxygen is not required to facilitate this metabolism. However, the chemical byproduct of the conversion of glucose to ATP is lactate, or lactic acid, which will hinder athletic performance due to its cramping effect on working muscles. As an athlete becomes more efficient, the lactate is recycled through the heart and liver and recycled into usable fuel.

In the aerobic system, ATP is produced from glucose in the working muscles cells, a process using oxygen transported by way of the erythrocytes, or red blood cells. The process of the production of ATP in the aerobic system is longer than that of the anaerobic lactic, but the energy produced is for longer duration, less intense forms of muscle activity. The aerobic process of ATP does not create any waste products; the use of oxygen requires increased heart capacity to bring more oxygen-rich blood to working muscles.

Fatty acids (produced by fats obtained through food) and amino acids (derived from protein) are stored in lean muscle tissue within the body. These sources of ATP, which are not as efficient as the glycogen/glucose system, work in a complementary fashion by delaying the depletion of glycogen energy reserves. ATP generated from muscle or liver glycogen is at least twice as productive in the satisfaction of the body's energy requirements as the ATP production from fatty acids.

Different types of exercise place differing demands upon the energy systems over time, and the corresponding rate by which glycogen is depleted. As a general proposition, the longer the period of exercise, and the greater the ongoing demand upon the reserves of stored energy, the greater the proportion of energy that will be derived from the fat/fatty acid component of energy production. As an example, when the athlete is exercising for 30 minutes, more than 60% of energy will be produced through either muscle glycogen or glucose released from storage in the liver. At the other end of the exercise spectrum, when the athlete has worked for 240 minutes, the fatty acid mechanism for the production of ATP energy will be in excess of 60%; muscle glycogen stores account for less than a 10% contribution.

There is an interrelationship between the utilization of carbohydrate stores and the function of each energy system. In an event such as a cross-country ski race or a 31-mi (50 km) cycling race, the burst of desired energy to break from the starting line will be fueled by the anaerobic alactic system, using the readily available ATP reserve. As the race progresses, the athlete will draw energy from the aerobic system; a steep hill or sprint finish will engage the anaerobic lactic process. All three mechanisms are available at any time, with a system being predominate as opposed to exclusive.

The carbohydrate demands of specific sports are also a consideration in training. An adult distance runner training at a seven-minute mile pace will burn approximately 920 calories per hour. A cyclist with similar characteristics training at a speed of 16 mph (26 km/h) will expect to consume 680 calories. A byproduct of the energy consumption by the body during exercise is the production of lactate; when oxygen depletion occurs in the burning of converted glycogen into ATP, lactate is a byproduct, which contributes to inefficiency and a sluggish performance.

The commitment of an athlete to the restoration of glycogen stores within the body through proper carbohydrate intake after training or competition is of critical importance to long-term athletic success. The processes by which the body can reabsorb carbohydrates take place immediately after exercise. During training or competition, complex carbohydrate sources that can be easily consumed are energy bars and gels; however, products that contain significant amounts of simple sugars such as fructose and glucose should be avoided, as they cause a sugar spike that does not aid in carbohydrate processing into useful glycogen stored fuels.

Carbohydrates are essential to the healthy functioning of the human body for athletes and sedentary persons alike. It is in this context that the so-called "low-carb" diets, such as the popular Atkins diet, must be understood. As a general proposition, while the low-carbohydrate diets may produce weight loss in sedentary, overweight persons, it is difficult to imagine a healthy athlete with significant energy demands being able to maintain training levels with reduced carbohydrate diets. Conversely, the growth of long-distance running, and the demands of that sport in terms of carbohydrate loading as a pre-competition dietary strategy, has prompted significant research into the mechanics of precisely how the body utilizes the carbohydrates it ingests.

see also Carbohydrate stores: Muscle glycogen, liver glycogen, and glucose; Glycogen depletion; Glycogen level in muscles; Liver function; Muscle glycogen recovery.

Carbohydrates

views updated Jun 27 2018

Carbohydrates


Carbohydrates are the most abundant natural organic compounds on Earth. The term "carbohydrate" derives from their general formula of Cn(H2O)n, first determined in the nineteenth century, and indicates that these compounds are hydrates of carbon. Carbohydrates are more specifically defined as polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones and the products derived from them. Carbohydrates are synthesized via photosynthesis by plants, algae, and some bacteria. Animals feeding on these organisms then use the energy stored in these compounds.

Energy storage is not the only function of carbohydrates. They have a variety of functions in living organisms, including their contribution to the structure of cell walls and their vital role in communication at the site of cell membranes. Carbohydrates form part of the backbone of RNA and DNA molecules, and they are also found linked to proteins and lipids as glycoproteins and glycolipids. The three basic groups of carbohydrates based on size are: monosaccharides , oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides (saccharide from the Greek sakcharon, or "sugar"). The oligosaccharides and polysaccharides are composed of a few and many monosaccharides, respectively. Monosaccharides have two major groups: the aldoses and the ketoses.

Aldoses

The simplest of the aldoses is glyceraldehyde, which is a triose, or three-carbon sugar. Glyceraldehyde has one chiral carbon and therefore two stereoisomers, designated D and L. In nature, only D sugars occur in abundance. Other aldoses can be derived from glyceraldehyde via insertion of additional hydroxy carbons between the carbonyl carbon and the molecule's other carbons. In this way, tetroses, pentoses, and hexoses are formed. Although glyceraldehyde and the tetroses can occur only as simple linear structures,

the pentoses and the hexoses can also form rings. The ring formation has important effects on the properties of these molecules.

Glucose , an aldohexose, is the most common of the monosaccharides. In various combinations and permutations, it forms starch, cellulose, sucrose (table sugar), and lactose (milk sugar), among other things. When metabolized via the glycolytic pathway, it is the major energy source for many living things. Most commonly, glucose forms a ring, its fifth hydroxyl group reacting with the aldehyde carbonyl group to form a hemiacetal (see Figure 2). As a result of this reaction, the sugar forms a six-membered ring and the carbonyl carbon becomes chiral. The two new stereoisomers of glucose that revolve on the aldehyde carbon are designated α and β and are considered anomers of one another. The now chiral carbon is called the "anomeric" carbon. These six-membered ring structures are called pyranoses, as they resemble the compound pyran. Thus, in its ring forms, glucose is properly designated α -D-glucopyranose, or β -D-glucopyranose.

These pyranose rings are not flat and can assume several different conformations. In general, the most stable conformation is the "chair" conformation, in which the bulky atomic groups (e.g., the hydroxyl and hydroxymethyl groups) are equatorial or within the plane of the ring (see Figure 3). The hydrogens would then be axial or perpendicular to the plane of the ring. Only in β -D-glucopyranose are all of the bulky groups equatorial; thus, β -D-glucopyranose is more stable than α -D-glucopyranose, in which the C-1 hydroxyl group is axial to the ring. The α and β forms of

glucose are freely interconvertible in solution. At equilibrium, a solution of glucose contains about two-thirds α -D-glucopyranose, one-third α -D-glucopyranose, and small amounts of the linear and five-membered ring forms of glucose.

Other widely occurring aldoses include mannose, galactose , and ribose (see Figure 1). Mannose and galactose are, like glucose, aldohexoses and can form six-membered rings. Mannose is an important part of the complex sugars, or oligosaccharides, that attach to proteins in the formation of glycoproteins. Galactose combines with glucose to form lactose or milk sugar. Structurally, each of these sugars differs from glucose only in the stereo-chemistry that revolves on one carbon: mannose on C-2 and galactose on C-4. Sugars that differ from one another only in respect to the stereo-chemistry at one carbon are considered epimers of each other. Thus mannose is the C-2 epimer of glucose, and galactose the C-4 epimer. Mannose and galactose are not epimers; they differ from each other in respect to the stereochemistry revolving around two carbons.

Ribose is an aldopentose. It composes the carbohydrate portion of the ribonucleotides that form a cell's RNA. Ribose, like the aldohexoses, can form a ring. However, ribose forms a five-membered ring, called a "furanose" because of its similarity to the compound furan. Once again, there are two possible forms this ring can have: α -D-ribofuranose and β -D-ribofuranose. RNA contains β -D-ribofuranose.

Ketoses

There are fewer ketoses than there are aldoses because ketoses have one less chiral carbon. The most prevalent of the ketoses are dihydroxyacetone, ribulose, xylulose, and fructose (see Figure 4). All four of these sugars are important intermediates in metabolism . Fructose is, along with glucose, part of sucrose or table sugar. Fructose is a ketohexose, and the only one of the four ketoses that can assume a ring structure. Like ribose, fructose forms a five-membered (or furanose) ring and has α and β anomers.

Monosaccharide Derivatives

Monosaccharides undergo incorporation into oligo- and polysaccharides. Individual monosaccharides can also undergo a variety of transformations. One important modification of monosaccharides is the formation of deoxy sugars. The most biologically significant of the deoxy sugars is β -D-2-deoxyribose (see Figure 5), in which the C-2 hydroxyl group of ribose has been replaced with hydrogen. This deoxy sugar is the sugar component of DNA.

In the amino sugars, an amino group replaces one or more of the hydroxyl groups. The most common of these sugars are D-glucosamine and D-galactosamine, both of which have an amino group in place of the hydroxyl group on the second carbon. Often, these amino groups are acetylated to give N-acetyl sugars, such as N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine. These sugars are important components of larger polysaccharides. Other important amino sugars are muramic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid, which are components of the oligosaccharides of glycoproteins and glycolipids, and of bacterial cell walls. Muramic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid are glucosamines, which have been linked at either C-3 or C-1 to three-carbon acids. Muramic acid is formed via an ether linkage between the C-3 of glucosamine and the hydroxyl group of lactic acid. N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid results from the formation of a CC bond between the C-1 of N-acetyl-D-mannosamine and the C-3 of phosphoenolpyruvate. This and other derivatives of neuraminic acid are collectively called sialic acids and are widely found in bacteria and animals.

Finally, monosaccharides often form ester linkages with phosphate and sulfate ions. In fact it is rare to find free monosaccharide in cells. Glucose is the only unmodified monosaccharide that exists in substantial quantities in living things, in which it exists primarily extracellularly.

see also Chirality; Glycolysis.

Stephanie E. Dew

Bibliography

Nelson, David L., and Cox, Michael M. (2000). Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 3rd edition. New York: Worth Publishers.

Robyt, John F. (1998). Essentials of Carbohydrate Chemistry. New York: Springer.

Voet, Donald; Voet, Judith G.; and Pratt, Charlotte (1999). Fundamentals of Biochemistry. New York: Wiley.

Other Resources

American Chemical Society. Division of Carbohydrate Chemistry. Information available from <http://membership.acs.org/C/>.

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. Information available from <http://www.chem.qmw.ac.uk/iupac/>.

Carbohydrates

views updated May 18 2018

Carbohydrates

Definition

Carbohydrates are compounds that consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, linked together by energy-containing bonds. There are two types of carbohydrates: complex and simple. The complex carbohydrates, such as starch and fiber, are classified as polysaccharides. Simple carbohydrates are known as sugars and they are classified as monoor disaccharides, depending on the number of sugars present. Monosaccharides consist of only one sugar; disaccharides have two sugar molecules bonded together.

Purpose

In the digestive tract, carbohydrates are broken down into the monosaccharide glucose, which provides energy for the body's cells and tissues. Glucose is the body's primary source of fuel.

Precautions

A common concern among consumers is that a high intake of carbohydrate-rich foods will cause weight gain. Consuming too much of any particular food can cause an increase in weight, but eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and grains will help promote weight management. General guidelines recommend that about 55 to 60% of daily calories come from carbohydrates.

Description

Carbohydrates are either simple or complex. Both have four calories per gram, and both are further reduced by the body to glucose, but complex carbohydrates, which undergo most of their digestion in the large intestine, take longer to digest. Carbohydrates come almost exclusively from plants, vegetables, and grains. Milk is the only animal-based product that contains a significant amount of carbohydrate.

Simple carbohydrates include the single sugars, or monosaccharides; and the double sugars, or disaccharides. The monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose. Disaccharides include lactose, which is made of glucose and galactose; maltose, made of two glucose units; and sucrose, made of glucose and fructose. Monosaccharides can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream, but disaccharides need to be broken down into their monosaccharide components before they can be absorbed.

When food is consumed, the digestion of carbohydrates begins in the mouth, where an enzyme in saliva breaks down starch molecules into the disaccharide maltose. The food then moves into the stomach where it mixes with the stomach's acid and other juices. In the small intestine, starch is further broken down into disaccharides and small polysaccharides by an enzyme released from the pancreas. Cells lining the small intestine then secrete an enzyme that further splits these disaccharides and polysaccharides into monosaccharides. The cells lining the small intestine can absorb these monosaccharides, which are then taken to the liver. The liver converts fructose and galactose to glucose. If there is an excess of fructose or galactose, it may also be converted to fat. Lastly, the glucose is transported to the body's cells by the circulatory system, where it can be used for energy.

When there is an excess of glucose, the muscle and liver cells often convert it to glycogen, which is the storage form of glucose. The muscles store two thirds of the body's glycogen solely for themselves, and the liver stores the other one third, which can be used by the brain or other organs. When blood glucose levels decline, the body breaks down some of its glycogen stores, and uses the glucose for energy. If blood glucose levels are too high, the excess glucose is taken to the liver where it is converted to glycogen and stored for future use.

Fiber

One of the complex carbohydrates, fiber, is a polysaccharide in which the bonds holding it together cannot be digested by humans. Fiber can be either water-soluble or water-insoluble. Even though these compounds cannot be digested by humans, they serve several important functions. The main function of insoluble fiber is to bind bile acids, which reduces fat and cholesterol absorption. Sources of insoluble fiber include wheat bran, whole grains, and brown rice. Soluble fiber, which helps decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, can be found in barley, fruit, legumes, and oats.

Fiber is an extremely important part of the diet. It aids in weight control by displacing calorie-dense fats in the diet. Fiber also absorbs water and slows the movement of food through the digestive tract, promoting a feeling of fullness. Recommended intakes of fiber should be about 27 to 40 grams per day.

The food guide pyramid was designed by health professionals to help consumers make nutritious food choices. The bottom and largest portion of the pyramid represents the bread, cereal, rice, and pasta group, and it is recommended that a healthy diet includes six to 11 servings from this food group daily. Three to five servings from the vegetable group and two to four servings from the fruit group are also recommended. These amounts will provide sufficient carbohydrates (including fiber) in the diet.

Complications

When carbohydrate intake is low, there is insufficient glucose production, which then causes the body to use its protein for energy. This ultimately prevents the body's protein from performing its more important functions, such as maintaining the body's immune system.

Without carbohydrate, the body also goes into a state of ketosis, in which by-products of fat breakdown, called ketones, accumulate in the blood. This causes a shift in the acid-base balance of the blood, which can be fatal.

Insulin

Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot metabolize carbohydrates, and either does not make or does not respond to insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas that is used to transport glucose to the body's cells. In individuals with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas fails to produce insulin, thus causing blood glucose levels to remain the same after meals. This condition is known as hyperglycemia. These individuals must receive daily injections of insulin to control their blood glucose levels. In type 2 diabetes, there may be sufficient insulin, but the body's cells may be resistant to it. Once again, this causes blood glucose levels to rise. Type 2 diabetes can be treated through oral medication and proper diet, although the need for insulin injections may develop later on.

KEY TERMS

Diabetes— A condition characterized by inadequate use of insulin preventing a person from controlling blood sugar levels.

Fructose— Monosaccharide known as fruit sugar.

Galactose— Monosaccharide known as milk sugar.

Glucose— Monosaccharide used for energy; also known as blood sugar.

Lactose— Disaccharide known as milk sugar.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)— Lipoproteins containing a large amount of cholesterol; transport lipids to other tissues in the body.

Maltose— Disaccharide known as malt sugar.

Sucrose— Disaccharide commonly known as table sugar.

Polysaccharides— Long chains of glucose units linked together.

Health care team roles

Registered dietitians and nutritionists are the professionals most qualified to educate individuals on the role of carbohydrates in a healthy diet, as well as the complications associated with low-carbohydrate intakes. Medical doctors and nursing professionals also play an important role in treating carbohydraterelated conditions such as diabetes, while dietitians serve to make recommendations concerning the nutritional needs of these individuals.

Resources

BOOKS

Sizer, Francis, and Eleanor Whitney. Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies. 7th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1997.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Dietetic Association. 216 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Ill., 60606. 〈http://www.eatright.org〉.

OTHER

Kennedy, Ron. "Carbohydrates in Nutrition." The Doctor's Medical Library. 〈http://www.medical-library.net/sites/carbohydrates_in%20nutrition.html〉 (April 18, 2001).

Marlett, Judith A., and Joanne L. Slavin. "Health Implications of Dietary Fiber—Position of ADA." Journal of the American Dietetic Association 97 (1997): 1157-1159. 〈http://www.eatright.org/adap1097.html〉 (April 18, 2001).

"Pasta Power! Debunking the Myths about Pasta." Journal of the American Dietetic Association Online 1997. 〈http://www.eatright.org/nfs/nfs73.html〉 (April 18, 2001).

Carbohydrates

views updated May 18 2018

Carbohydrates

Definition

Carbohydrates are compounds that consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, linked together by energy-containing bonds. There are two types of carbohydrates: complex and simple. The complex carbohydrates, such as starch and fiber, are classified as polysaccharides. Simple carbohydrates are known as sugars and they are classified as mono- or disaccharides, depending on the number of sugars present. Monosaccharides consist of only one sugar; disaccharides have two sugar molecules bonded together.

Purpose

In the digestive tract, carbohydrates are broken down into the monosaccharide glucose, which provides energy for the body's cells and tissues. Glucose is the body's primary source of fuel.

Precautions

A common concern among consumers is that a high intake of carbohydrate-rich foods will cause weight gain. Consuming too much of any particular food can cause an increase in weight, but eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and grains will help promote weight management. General guidelines recommend that about 55 to 60% of daily calories come from carbohydrates.

Description

Carbohydrates are either simple or complex. Both have four calories per gram, and both are further reduced by the body to glucose, but complex carbohydrates, which undergo most of their digestion in the large intestine, take longer to digest. Carbohydrates come almost exclusively from plants, vegetables, and grains. Milk is the only animal-based product that contains a significant amount of carbohydrate.

Simple carbohydrates include the single sugars, or monosaccharides; and the double sugars, or disaccharides. The monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose. Disaccharides include lactose, which is made of glucose and galactose; maltose, made of two glucose units; and sucrose, made of glucose and fructose. Monosaccharides can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream, but disaccharides need to be broken down into their monosaccharide components before they can be absorbed.

When food is consumed, the digestion of carbohydrates begins in the mouth, where an enzyme in saliva breaks down starch molecules into the disaccharide maltose. The food then moves into the stomach where it mixes with the stomach's acid and other juices. In the small intestine, starch is further broken down into disaccharides and small polysaccharides by an enzyme released from the pancreas. Cells lining the small intestine then secrete an enzyme that further splits these disaccharides and polysaccharides into monosaccharides. The cells lining the small intestine can absorb these monosaccharides, which are then taken to the liver. The liver converts fructose and galactose to glucose. If there is an excess of fructose or galactose, it may also be converted to fat. Lastly, the glucose is transported to the body's cells by the circulatory system, where it can be used for energy.

When there is an excess of glucose, the muscle and liver cells often convert it to glycogen, which is the storage form of glucose. The muscles store two thirds of the body's glycogen solely for themselves, and the liver stores the other one third, which can be used by the brain or other organs. When blood glucose levels decline, the body breaks down some of its glycogen stores, and uses the glucose for energy. If blood glucose levels are too high, the excess glucose is taken to the liver where it is converted to glycogen and stored for future use.

Fiber

One of the complex carbohydrates, fiber, is a polysaccharide in which the bonds holding it together cannot be digested by humans. Fiber can be either water-soluble or water-insoluble. Even though these compounds cannot be digested by humans, they serve several important functions. The main function of insoluble fiber is to bind bile acids, which reduces fat and cholesterol absorption. Sources of insoluble fiber include wheat bran, whole grains, and brown rice. Soluble fiber, which helps decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, can be found in barley, fruit, legumes, and oats.

Fiber is an extremely important part of the diet. It aids in weight control by displacing calorie-dense fats in the diet. Fiber also absorbs water and slows the movement of food through the digestive tract, promoting a feeling of fullness. Recommended intakes of fiber should be about 27 to 40 grams per day.

The food guide pyramid was designed by health professionals to help consumers make nutritious food choices. The bottom and largest portion of the pyramid represents the bread, cereal, rice, and pasta group, and it is recommended that a healthy diet includes six to 11 servings from this food group daily. Three to five servings from the vegetable group and two to four servings from the fruit group are also recommended. These amounts will provide sufficient carbohydrates (including fiber) in the diet.

Complications

When carbohydrate intake is low, there is insufficient glucose production, which then causes the body to use its protein for energy. This ultimately prevents the body's protein from performing its more important functions, such as maintaining the body's immune system .

Without carbohydrates, the body also goes into a state of ketosis, in which by-products of fat breakdown, called ketones, accumulate in the blood. This causes a shift in the acid-base balance of the blood, which can be fatal.

Insulin

Diabetes is a disease in which the body cannot metabolize carbohydrates, and either does not make or does not respond to insulin , a hormone secreted by the pancreas that is used to transport glucose to the body's cells. In individuals with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas fails to produce insulin, thus causing blood glucose levels to remain the same after meals. This condition is known as hyperglycemia. These individuals must receive daily injections of insulin to control their blood glucose levels. In type 2 diabetes, there may be sufficient insulin, but the body's cells may be resistant to it. Once again, this causes blood glucose levels to rise. Type 2 diabetes can be treated through oral medication and proper diet, although the need for insulin injections may develop later on.

KEY TERMS

Fructose —Monosaccharide known as fruit sugar.

Galactose —Monosaccharide known as milk sugar.

Glucose —Monosaccharide used for energy; also known as blood sugar.

Lactose —Disaccharide known as milk sugar.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) —Lipoproteins containing a large amount of cholesterol; transport lipids to other tissues in the body.

Maltose —Disaccharide known as malt sugar.

Polysaccharides —Long chains of glucose units linked together.

Sucrose —Disaccharide commonly known as table sugar.

Caregiver concerns

Registered dietitians and nutritionists are the professionals most qualified to educate individuals on the role of carbohydrates in a healthy diet, as well as the complications associated with low-carbohydrate intakes. Medical doctors and nursing professionals also play an important role in treating carbohydrate related conditions such as diabetes, while dietitians serve to make recommendations concerning the nutritional needs of these individuals.

Resources

BOOKS

Sizer, Francis, and Eleanor Whitney. Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies. 7th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1997.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Dietetic Association. 216 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60606. http://www.eatright.org.

OTHER

Kennedy, Ron. “Carbohydrates in Nutrition.” The Doctor's Medical Library. http://www.medical-library.net/sites/carbohydrates_in%20nutrition.html (April 18, 2001).

Marlett, Judith A., and Joanne L. Slavin. “Health Implications of Dietary Fiber—Position ofADA.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association 97 (1997): 1157–1159. http://www.eatright.org/adap1097.html (April 18, 2001).

“Pasta Power! Debunking the Myths about Pasta.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association Online 1997. http://www.eatright.org/nfs/nfs73.html (April 18, 2001).

Lisa M. Gourley

Carbohydrate

views updated Jun 11 2018

Carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are naturally occurring compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Examples of carbohydrate include sugars, starches, cellulose, and a number of other chemically related substances. For the most part, these carbohydrates are produced by green plants through the process of photosynthesis. Plants use this process to synthesize a simple sugar (typically glucose) from the light energy absorbed by the chlorophyll in their leaves, water from the soil, and carbon dioxide from the air. Typically, plants use some of this simple sugar to form the more complex carbohydrate cellulose (which makes up the plants supporting framework) and some to provide energy for its own metabolic needs; the rest is stored away for later use in the form of seeds, roots, or fruits.

Interestingly, the digestive and metabolic processes in animals and humans work in almost the reverse fashion. As an example, when a fruit is eaten, the complex carbohydrates are broken down in the digestive tract to simpler glucose units. The glucose is then used primarily to produce energy in a process, which involves oxidation and the excretion of carbon dioxide and water as waste products. In the mid-1800s, German chemist Justus von Liebig was one of the first to recognize that the body derived energy from the oxidation of foods recently eaten, and also declared that it was carbohydrates and fats that served to fuel the oxidationnot carbon and hydrogen as Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier had thought.

Carbohydrates are usually divided into three main categories. The first category, the monosaccharides, are simple sugars that consist of a single carbohydrate unit that cannot be broken down into any simpler substances. The three most common sugars in this group are glucose (or dextrose), the most frequently seen sugar in fruits and vegetables (and, in digestion, the form of carbohydrate to which all others are eventually converted); fructose, associated with glucose in honey and in many fruits and vegetables; and galactose, derived from the more complex milk sugar, lactose. Each of these simple but nutritionally important sugars is a hexose, which means it contains six carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms. All three require virtually no digestion but are readily absorbed into the bloodstream from the intestine.

Disaccharide are slightly more complex sugars that contain two hexose units. The three most nutritionally important of these are sucrose (table sugar), maltose (which is derived from starch), and lactose, which is formed in the mammary glands and is the only sugar not found in plants. In the digestive tract, specific enzymes split all of these sugars into the more easily absorbed monosaccharides. If needed for future energy use, glucose units are typically squeezed together into larger, more slowly absorbed units and stored as polysaccharides, whose molecules often contain a hundred times the number of glucose units as do the simple sugars. These highly complex carbohydrates include dextrin, starch, cellulose, and glycogen. More efficient and more stable than the simple sugars, they are much easier to store. On the other hand, most of them need to be broken down by the digestive tracts enzymes before they can be absorbed. Some complex carbohydrates such as cellulose are almost impossible for humans to digest, but this indigestibility is useful since the colon needs a certain amount of bulk (roughage) to perform at its best.

Glycogen is the form in which most of the bodys excess glucose is stored. Both the liver and muscle are able to store glycogen, with muscle glycogen used primarily to fuel muscle contractions and liver glycogen used (when necessary) to replenish the bloodstreams dwindling supply of glucose.

Glycogen was named by French physiologist Claude Bernard, who in 1856 discovered a starchlike substance in the liver of mammals. This substance, he later showed, was not only built out of glucose taken from the blood, but could be broken down again into sugar whenever it was needed. In 1891, German physiologist Karl von Voit demonstrated that mammals could make glycogen even when fed sugars more complex than glucose. In 1919, Otto Meyerhof was able to show that glycogen is converted into lactic acid in working muscles. It was not until the 1930s, however, that the complicated process by which glycogen, stored in the liver and muscle, is broken down in the body and resynthesized was discovered by Czech-American biochemists Carl Cori and Gerty Cori. Building on their work, Fritz Lipmann was able a few years later to further clarify the way carbohydrates can be converted into the forms of chemical energy most usable by the body.

The chemical structure of the various sugars was worked out in great detail by German biochemist Emil Fischer, who began his Nobel Prize-winning work in 1884. Fischer not only was able to synthesize glucose and 30 other sugars, he also showed that the shape of their molecules was even more important than their chemical composition.

Carbohydrate

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Carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are naturally occurring compounds composed of carbon , hydrogen , and oxygen . The carbohydrate group includes sugars, starches, cellulose , and a number of other chemically related substances. For the most part, these carbohydrates are produced by green plants through the process known as photosynthesis . Countless varieties of plants use this process to synthesize a simple sugar (glucose, mostly) from the light energy absorbed by the chlorophyll in their leaves, water from the soil , and carbon dioxide from the air. Typically, plants use some of this simple sugar to form the more complex carbohydrate cellulose (which makes up the plant's supporting framework) and some to provide energy for its own metabolic needs; the rest is stored away for later use in the form of seeds , roots, or fruits .

Interestingly, the digestive and metabolic processes in animals and humans work almost in reverse fashion.

When a fruit is eaten, for instance, the complex carbohydrates are broken down in the digestive tract to simpler glucose units. The glucose is then used primarily to produce energy in a process which involves oxidation and the excretion of carbon dioxide and water as waste products. In the mid-1800s, German chemist Justus von Liebig was one of the first to recognize that the body derived energy from the oxidation of foods recently eaten, and also declared that it was carbohydrates and fats that served to fuel the oxidation-not carbon and hydrogen as Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier had thought.

Carbohydrates are usually divided into three main categories. The first category, the monosaccharides, are simple sugars that consist of a single carbohydrate unit that cannot be broken down into any simpler substances. The three most common sugars in this group are glucose (or dextrose), the most frequently seen sugar in fruits and vegetables (and, in digestion, the form of carbohydrate to which all others are eventually converted); fructose, associated with glucose in honey and in many fruits and vegetables; and galactose, derived from the more complex milk sugar, lactose. Each of these simple but nutritionally important sugars is a hexose, which means it contains six carbon atoms , 12 hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms. All three require virtually no digestion but are readily absorbed into the bloodstream from the intestine.

Slightly more complex sugars are the disaccharides which contain two hexose units. The three most nutritionally important of these are sucrose (ordinary table sugar), maltose (derived from starch), and lactose, which is formed in the mammary glands and is the only sugar not found in plants. In the digestive tract, specific enzymes split all of these sugars into the more easily absorbed monosaccharides. If needed for future energy use, glucose units are typically squeezed together into larger, more slowly absorbed units and stored as polysaccharides, whose molecules often contain a hundred times the number of glucose units as do the simple sugars. These highly complex carbohydrates include dextrin, starch, cellulose, and glycogen. More efficient and more stable than the simple sugars, they are much easier to store. On the other hand, most of them need to be broken down by the digestive tract's enzymes before they can be absorbed. Some of them—cellulose, for instance—are almost impossible for humans to digest, but this indigestibility is useful since the colon needs a certain amount of bulk, or roughage, to perform at its best.

Glycogen is the form in which most of the body's excess glucose is stored. Both the liver and muscle are able to store glycogen, with muscle glycogen used primarily to fuel muscle contractions and liver glycogen used (when necessary) to replenish the bloodstream's dwindling supply of glucose.

Glycogen was named by French physiologist Claude Bernard, who in 1856 discovered a starchlike substance in the liver of mammals . This substance, he later showed, was not only built out of glucose taken from the blood , but could be broken down again into sugar whenever it was needed. In 1891, German physiologist Karl von Voit demonstrated that mammals could make glycogen even when fed sugars more complex than glucose. In 1919, Otto Meyerhof was able to show that glycogen is converted into lactic acid in working muscles. It was not until the 1930s, however, that the complicated process by which glycogen, stored in the liver and muscle, is broken down in the body and resynthesized was discovered by Czech-American biochemists Carl Cori and Gerty Cori. Building on their work, Fritz Lipmann was able a few years later to further clarify the way carbohydrates can be converted into the forms of chemical energy most usable by the body.

The chemical structure of the various sugars was worked out in great detail by German biochemist Emil Fischer, who began his Nobel Prize-winning work in 1884. Fischer not only was able to synthesize glucose and 30 other sugars, he also showed that the shape of their molecules was even more important than their chemical composition.

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