Simple and complex carbohydrates

Many products have carbohydrates in their composition. By the uniqueness of the structure among the carbohydrates are isolated simple and complex. Distinguish simple and complex carbohydrates can often be even to the taste of the product - simple carbohydrates are perceived even by mouth receptors and dishes are sensed sweet, whereas complex carbohydrates do not immediately give the dishes sweetness.

So, for example, if you take a sweet in your mouth, in which there is a lot of glucose - you will immediately feel sweet. But chewing vermicelli, you do not feel a sweet taste, although it contains 75% carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates vermicelli only digest in the gastrointestinal tract are split down to simple monosaccharides.

In the bread there are polysaccharides, but easily destroyed even with prolonged contact with enzymes of saliva. If you hold bread in your mouth for more than 10 minutes, you will begin to feel a sweet taste. This means that complex carbohydrates split into simple ones, and you taste the taste of glucose (monosaccharide).

The difference between simple and complex carbohydrates in the structure of their molecules. Simple carbohydrates are monosaccharides, they have a relatively simple chemical formula, for example, glucose - C₆H₁₂O₆. And complex carbohydrates are polysaccharides and their formula is C₆H10O5. To complex carbohydrates are digested in our body and become useful, i.e. They brought energy cells to the cells, they must split to simple ones, i.e. monosaccharides.

List of simple and complex carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates include:

  1. Glucose . This carbohydrate is found in most vegetable products. Glucose is rich - grapes , raspberries and sweet cherries. Carbohydrate metabolism in the human body mainly depends on this monosaccharide. Many polysaccharides split up into a glucose formula and, binding to insulin, turn into glycogen, which is deposited in the liver, spleen, muscles and is a storehouse of energy material. When it comes to consuming a large amount of energy, glycogen, under the action of glucagon (the hormone opposite to insulin), turns back into glucose. Due to this process, the blood glucose level in a healthy person is constant.
  2. Fructose . This monosaccharide is sure to be found in all fruits. It is known that it is almost twice as sweet as glucose and without insulin it enters the cells of organs and tissues, therefore it is recommended for use by people with diabetes mellitus.
  3. Lactose or "milk sugar" , is present only in dairy products. If there are not enough enzymes in the intestines that help absorb this carbohydrate, bloating and diarrhea develop. Sometimes newborns can not digest this carbohydrate, and they are prescribed a lactose-free infant formula.
  4. Sucrose , which consists of a molecule of glucose and fructose.

Complex carbohydrates include:

  1. Starch . This carbohydrate is found in most of the products used. He is present in various porridges, a lot of him in potatoes and pasta.
  2. Fiber . This carbohydrate is so complex that it does not break down in our body, for its assimilation requires a different microflora than living in the human intestine.

Table of simple and complex carbohydrates

Probably many are interested in the question of simple and complex carbohydrates, when it comes to drawing up a diet menu. Under such circumstances, it is important to know which foods belong to one or another carbohydrate . Below we clearly demonstrate the most common products related to simple and complex carbohydrates.