CARBOHYDRATES
CARBOHYDRATES
QUICK FACTS
Carbohydrate
Carbon + hydrate (water)
Carbon
C
+
Water
H20
⟶ Carbohydrate
Forms of Carbohydrates
‘Mono’saccharides: ‘single’ sugars
‘Di’saccharides: ‘two’ single sugars
linked together
‘poly’saccharides: ‘many’ sugar
molecules linked together
Functions
Provide Energy
-Carbohydrates supply fuel for most of
body’s energy needs (~98%).
-Glucose is primary fuel needed by brain
Protein Sparing
The body does not want to utilize proteins
to meet the body’s energy needs
-Protein is needed for other roles in the
body (building blocks of muscles, create
hormones, enzymes, hair, skin, neurons,
cells).
Glycogen
Digestion and Absorption
All carbohydrates are broken down into their
simplest unit (simple sugars)
Digestion starts in the mouth with chewing and
enzymes in the saliva.
Most digestion happens in the small intestine.
Enzymes break large carbohydrates into small ones
Fiber is not digested and helps regulate bowel
activity
Sugars are absorbed into the blood stream by the
cells of the intestines
Glucose is ready to be used by the body. Other
sugars must be processed in the liver.
The storage form of carbohydrate
in the body. Used to regulate
blood sugars between meals (liver
glycogen)
and
Energy production/fuel for the
muscles and body (muscle
glycogen)