Dietary Carbohydrate
Primary role of dietary Carbohydrates: %%provide energy%%
- 4 cal/g
Classification
- Simple sugars
* monosaccharides
* disaccharides - Complex sugars
* polysaccharides - Fibers
Monosaccharides
Principal monosaccharides found in food:
- : fruits, sweet corn, corn syrup, honey
- : found with free glucose in honey and fruits (e.g. apples)
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
- corn syrup that has undergone enzymatic processing to convert their glucose into fructose and have been mixed with pure corn syrup (100% glucose) to produce a desired sweetness
- HFCS 55 (55% fructose and 42% glucose): substitute for sucrose on %%beverages%% (e.g. soft drinks)
- HFCS 42 used in %%processed foods%%
- composition of HFCS and surcose are similar
* major difference: HFCS is ingested as a mixture of monosaccharides
* ^^no significant difference^^ in either ^^postprandial glucose or insulin responses^^
Disaccharides
Most abundant:
- : @@table sugar@@
* glucose + fructose - : principal sugar found in @@milk@@
* glucose + galactose - : product of enzymatic digestion of polysaccharides, found in @@beer and malt liquors@@
* glucose + glucose
Polysaccharides
- complex carbohydrates
- most often polymers of glucose
- do not have a sweet taste
- ^^Sources^^: starch, wheat, potatoes, dried peas, beans (legumes) and vegetables
Fiber
: non-digestible, non-starch carbohydrates and lignin present in plants
- @@soluble fiber@@ is the edible part of plants
* @@resistant to digestion and absorption@@ in the human small intestine - @@insoluble fiber@@ passes through the digestive track largely @@unchanged@@
- provides little energy
- Recommended intake (AI) for total fiber:
* ==25 g/day for women==
* ==38 g/day for men==
| }}Type of Fiber}} | }}Major Source in Diet}} | }}Chemical Properties}} | }}Physiological Effects}} |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cellulose | Unrefined cereals, bran, whole wheat | Nondigestible, water insoluble, absorbs water | Stool bulk, intestinal transit time, intracolonic pressure |
| Hemicellulose | Unrefined cereals, some fruits and vegetables, whole wheat | Partially digestible, usually water insoluble, absorbs water | Stool bulk, intestinal transit time, intracolonic pressure |
| Lignin | Woody part of vegetables | Nondigestible, water insoluble, absorbs organic substances | Stool bulk, binds cholesterol, binds carcinogens |
| Pectin | Fruits | Digestible, water soluble, mucilaginous | Rate of gastric emptying,Rate of sugar uptake, Serum cholesterol |
| Gums | Dried beans, oats | Digestible,water soluble, mucilaginous | Serum cholesterol, Rate of gastric emptying,Rate of sugar uptake |
Benefits
- adds bulk to diet
- increasing bowel mobility during exposure of intestines to carcinogens
- promoting bowel movements (laxation)
- softens stool: decrease risk for constipation, hemorrhoids, and diverticulosis
- soluble fiber:
* delays gastric emptying
* which can result in a sensation of fullness (satiety)
* reduce spikes in blood glucose following a meal
* lower plasma LDL-C levels by @@increasing fecal bile acid excretion@@ and @@interfering with bile acid reabsorption@@
Dietary Carbohydrate and Blood Glucose
- carbohydrates differ in their (GR)
* carbohydrate-containing foods produce either
* rapid rise followed by a steep fall in blood glucose
* gradual rise followed by a slow decline in blood glucose - : the area under the blood glucose curve seen after ingestion of meal with carbohydrate-rich food, compared with the area under the blood glucose curve observed after a meal consisting of the same amount of carbohydrate in the form of glucose or white bread.
- ^^low GI:^^ <50
- ^^high GI:^^ ≥70
- low-GI diet improves glycemic control in diabetic individuals
- foods with low GI tend to create a sense of satiety over a long period of time
* helpful in limiting caloric intake

Carbohydrate Requirements
- not essential nutrients
- absence of dietary carbohydrate leads to ketogenesis
- RD for for carbohydrate: ==130 g/day== for adults and children
- adults should consume ==45% - 65%== of their total calories from carbohydrates
- added sugars should represent ==no more than 10%== of total energy intake