Carbohydrates Flashcards
What are the two types of carbohydrate?
sugars and starches
What is dietary fibre?
a type of carbohydrate that cannot be digested to provide energy
How are carbohydrates mainly produced?
photosynthesis by plants
What are monosaccharides?
the simplest form of carbohydrate structure
What are 3 examples of monosaccharides?
glucose, galactose, fructose
What are disaccharides?
two monosaccharides joined together
What are 3 examples of disaccharides and which monosaccharides are they made from?
maltose(glucose+glucose), lactose(glucose+galactose), sucrose (glucose+fructose)
What are polysaccharides?
many monosaccharides joined together
What are some examples of polysaccharides?
starch, glycogen, dietary fibre, dextrin, cellulose, pectin
Why do sugars provide instant energy?
they are digested quickly
Why do starches release energy slowly?
they need to be digested into sugars before absorption
What are some sources of sugars?
table sugar, honey, jam, sweets, chocolate, fruit and vegetables
What are some sources of starch?
bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, breakfast cereals
What happens to excess carbohydrate?
converted to fat and stored under the skin
What are the effects of excess carbohydrate in the diet?
obesity
What are the effects of excess sugars in the diet?
dental decay, type 2 diabetes
What are the effects of a deficiency in carbohydrates?
the body starts to use protein and fat as an energy source
What is the scientific name for dietary fibre?
non-starch polysaccharide
What happens when soluble NSP absorbs water?
it forms a gel-like substance that can prevent the absorption of cholesterol
What happens to insoluble NSP in the body?
it is not absorbed and passes through the body as waste
What are the benefits of eating insoluble NSP?
helps prevent bowel diseases
What is the function of dietary fibre?
makes food passing through the intestines soft and bulky
What are some sources of dietary fibre?
wholemeal bread, wholegrain breakfast cereals, wholemeal pasta, wholemeal flour, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds
How much fibre should adults consume per day?
18g
What can fibre deficiency lead to?
constipation, diverticular disease, bowel cancer
