Carbohydrates GapFill

Carbohydrates are large molecules built from carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. Single molecules of carbohydrates are called  basicsmonosaccharidessucrosetriglycerides and are usually referred to as sugars . Examples of sugars include glucose, galactose and  fibreflegaminestarchfructose . They may occur naturally in foods (if so, they are called  intrinsicinterstitialintranetinternal sugars), or can be added during the production process. When two molecules of monosaccharides bond together, they form  pectinbisugarsdisaccharidesglycine . An example of these is  wholemealflegaminelactosefructose, which occurs naturally in  fibremilkfruit and vegetablescereals .

When many molecules of sugars bond together into long chains they form  polysaccharidesenergypolypeptidespolyunsaturated fats, and depending on their chemical structure can be divided into  simplesolublestarchsugar and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). NSP is also called  glycinesoluble fibredietary fibreparacetamol and cannot be digested by humans. Instead it supports  blood circulationbuilding cellsproduction of energybowel movements and helps to lower  disaccharidesproteinblood circulationcholesterol levels in the blood. During digestion,  retinolflegaminesugarstarch is broken down into single molecules and absorbed into the bloodstream.

Carbohydrates are the main source of  starchvitaminssucroseenergy for the body and act as a  watercholesterolproteinfat sparer. This means that by providing energy they allow the proteins to be used for other purposes in the body.

Complex carbohydrates, such as starch and dietary fibre, are found in  wholemealprocessedpurifiedfortified products and vegetables.