Carbohydrates and its Types, Classification and Use

Carbohydrates:

Compounds composed of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen arranged as monosaccharides or multiples of monosaccharides.

Most, but not all, carbohydrates have a ratio of one carbon molecule to one water.

molecule: (CH2O)n.

carbo  - carbon (C)

hydrate  - with water (H2O)

Classification of carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates (sugars): monosaccharides and disaccharides.

Complex carbohydrates (starches and fibers): polysaccharides composed of straight or branched chains of monosaccharides.

Carbohydrates are sugar compounds made by plants when the plants are exposed to light. This process is called photosynthesis.

Types of Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides—single sugars.

Disaccharides—sugars composed of pairs of monosaccharides.

The complex carbohydrates are:

Polysaccharides—large molecules composed of chains of monosaccharides.

Sources of carbohydrates:

•      Fruits, vegetables, grains, milk and its products contain carbohydrates. Meat, fish, poultry are no carbohydrates.

Uses of Carbohydrates

•      It protects your muscles.

•      It regulates the amount of sugar circulating in your body.

•      It provides nutrients for friendly bacteria in intestinal tract that helps indigestion.

•      It helps in lowering cholesterol level and regulates blood pressure.