17.6 : Carbohydrate Digestion

Carbohydrate digestion and metabolism break down simple and complex carbohydrates from food into saccharides (i.e., sugars) for the body to use as energy. Carbohydrate digestion starts in the mouth during mastication, or chewing. The masticated carbohydrates remain intact in the stomach. Digestion resumes in the duodenum of the small intestine, where pancreatic alpha-amylase and brush border enzymes of the microvilli convert complex carbohydrates to monosaccharides. Finally, the monosaccharides are absorbed by the intestinal epithelium for energy usage.

Types of Carbohydrates

Three basic types of carbohydrates are found in the human diet: simple carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, and fiber. Simple carbohydrates are monosaccharide molecules such as glucose, fructose, and galactose. Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, are polysaccharides composed of long chains of glucose. Finally, fiber is a carbohydrate that is found in the cellulose of plant-based foods. It cannot be broken down by the body for energy, but it does play a vital role in healthy digestion by helping ingested food to move along the digestive system.