Carbohydrates Flashcards
What are carbohydrates formed from?
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
What are the two types of carbohydrate?
Sugar
Complex carbohydrates
What are the functions of carbohydrates in the diet?
They provide the body with energy for physical activity and bodily functions
They provide dietary fibre to help digestion
Sugars also sweeten and flavour foods
What are monosaccharides?
They are simple sugars that can be absorbed very quickly by the body
What are the three monosaccharides?
Glucose, fructose, galactose
Describe glucose:
Glucose is found in some fruits and vegetables, it is often used by athletes in tablet or powder form to provide a fast energy boost
Describe fructose:
It is similar in structure to glucose and is found naturally in the juices of some fruits and plants, but mainly in honey.
Describe galactose:
It is formed during the digestion of lactose (milk sugar)
What are disaccharides?
Disaccharides are double sugars that are made up of two monosaccharides
What are the three disaccharides?
Lactose, maltose, sucrose
Describe lactose
It is the disaccharide found in milk, which gives milk its sweet taste
Describe maltose
A product from the fermentation of cereal grains
Describe sucrose
Most common disaccharide, known as sugar
Provides the body with energy but has no other benefits in the diet as it contains no other nutrients
What are the two forms of sugar?
Non-free sugar
Free sugar
Sources of non free sugar
Found naturally in the cells of fruits and vegetables