3.2.1.3 Carbohydrates GapFill

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

When many molecules of sugars bond together into long chains they form  polypeptideslactosesystematic fatspolysaccharides, and depending on their chemical structure can be divided into  starchsugarfree sugarflegamine and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP). NSP is also called  soluble fibredietary fibreglucoseenergy and cannot be digested by humans. Instead it supports  bowel movementsblood circulationnerve impulsesbuilding red blood cells and helps to lower  cholesterolproteinglycinemonosaccharides blood level. During digestion,  fibresugarstarchgut microflora is broken down into single molecules and absorbed into the bloodstream.

Carbohydrates are the main source of  cholesterolvitaminsenergydietary fibre for the body and act as a  proteinblood circulationwatervitamin 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  purifiedsolublesweetenedwholemeal products and vegetables.