Carbohydrates, also called carbohydrates, carbohydrates or saccharides, are molecules whose structure is composed of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen and whose main functions are to provide energy to the body, since 1 gram of carbohydrates provides 4 kcal, constituting 50 to 60% of the diet.
Some carbohydrate-containing foods include rice, antenna, honey, table sugar, dad, among others, and can be categorized according to the composition of their molecules into simple, complex carbohydrates.
- Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for the body because during digestion they generate glucose.
- Being the fuel preferred by the cells of the body.
- Which degrades this molecule and produces ATP.
- Which is used in various metabolic processes for the proper functioning of the body.
- It is mainly used by the brain.
- At a rate of 120 g per day.
- Representing most of the 160 g of glucose the body needs daily.
In addition, a portion of the glucose generated is stored as glycogen in the liver and a small part in the muscles, due to possible contingencies in which the body needs to use this reserve as it can occur in prolonged conditions, alerting to metabolic stress, for example.
Carbohydrate consumption is also important for muscle preservation, as lack of glucose will promote muscle loss. Similarly, fiber is also a type of carbohydrate, although it is not digested in glucose, it is essential for the digestion process as it lowers cholesterol. absorption, helps maintain blood sugar, increases bowel movements and promotes a higher volume of needs, avoiding problems such as tension.
Yes, when the body uses glucose reserve and there is no carbohydrate intake (at the moment), the body begins to use body fat reserves to generate energy (ATP), replacing glucose with ketones or ketones.
Carbohydrates are classified according to their complexity by
Simple carbohydrates, or also called monosaccharides, are simple units or molecules that combine to form the most complex carbohydrates, are glucose, ribose, xylose, gallactosa and fruit. By consuming a carb carb, this more complex molecule will break down into the gastrointestinal tract. until it has released the intestine in the form of monosaccharides to be absorbed.
The combination of monosaccharides forms disaccharides such as sucrose or table sugar (glucose fruit), lactose (glucose gactose) and maltose (glucose glucose), in addition to this, the combination of 3 to 10 units of monosaccharides produces oligosaccharides.
Complex or polysaccharides carbohydrates are those that contain more than 10 units of monosaccharides, forming complex molecular structures that can be linear or branched, some examples of starch, glycogen that is stored in the liver and cellulose.
In complex carbohydrates, there are fibers, which are plant components that are not digested by gastrointestinal enzymes, some examples of cellulose, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and lignin.
Some carbohydrate-rich foods are bread, dough, rice, wheat flour, cornmeal, toast, beans, chickpeas, lentils, corn, barley, oats, cornstarch, potato, potato, ‘ame, ocumo cassava.
Excess carbohydrates are deposited in the body in the form of fat, although it is very important as our body, it is important to avoid abusing it, although it is recommended to eat between 200 to 300 grams of carbohydrates a day, it cannot vary depending on the weight, age, sex and physical activity that values the person.
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Carbohydrates have several metabolic pathways, namely:
These metabolic pathways are activated according to the needs of the organism and the situation in which it is located.