Chapter

Digestion and Absorption of Carbohydrates

From Human Nutrition by Human Nutrition

Concepts

1. Carbohydrate Digestion

   "Salivary glands secrete salivary amylase, which begins the chemical breakdown of carbohydrates by breaking the bonds between monomeric sugar units. The mechanical and chemical digestion of carbohydra

2. Blood Glucose

   "Glucose levels in the blood are tightly controlled, as having either too much or too little glucose in the blood can have health consequences. Glucose regulates its levels in the blood via a process

3. Dietary Fiber

   "Almost all of the carbohydrates, except for dietary fiber and resistant starches, are efficiently digested and absorbed into the body. Some of the remaining indigestible carbohydrates are broken down

4. Glycemic Index

   "A typical American Thanksgiving meal contains many foods that are dense in carbohydrates, with the majority of those being simple sugars and starches. These types of carbohydrate foods are rapidly di