What Kinds of Saccharides Are Sugars?
Saccharides, also known as carbohydrates, consist of bonded hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Most sugars are monosaccharides or disaccharides, and affect the body by increasing blood sugar and providing a small burst of energy. According to the World Health Organization, you should consume less than 10 percent of your calories from sugar and around 65 percent of your calories from carbohydrates. Does this Spark an idea?
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Monosaccharides
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Monosaccharides, the simplest form of saccharides, are classified by the location of their carbonyl group, the amount of carbon atoms they contain and their chiral hardness. The sugars are named by the number of carbon atoms they contain. Monosaccharides with four carbon atoms are known as tetroses, while those with six are known as hextroses. Some monosaccharides are linear, while others are asymmetrical. Linear monosaccharides are simpler than asymmetrical sugars.
Disaccharides
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Disaccharides consist of two monosaccharides connected together by a covalent bond, which is sometimes called a glycosodic likage. These atoms have one fewer hydrogen atom than usual and consist of a hydroxyl group. The most common disaccharide is sucrose. Other popular sugars in this family are lactose and maltose. Some disaccharides are sugars, while others are more complex carbohydrates.
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Glucose and Fructose
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Glucose and fructose are the most common monosaccharides. Glucose exists in most carbohydrates and serves an important function in the body. Glucose is absorbed by the intestines and used as an energy source by most bodily cells. Excess glucose is stored in the liver. When healthy people are low on glucose, their insulin level drops and they convert glucose in their liver to insulin. People who cannot appropriately convert glucose typically suffer from diabetes or hypoglycemia. Fructose is found in most sweet plant foods, typically in fruits and vegetables. Like many sugars, fructose ferments well and can be turned into a variety of alcohols. Fructose is the sweetest sugar and is found in many packaged foods, such as candies and muffins.
Sucrose and Lactose
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Sucrose and lactose are the most common disaccharides. Sucrose, also known as table sugar, is white and odorless. As of March 2011, almost all refined sugar products consist of sucrose. People in developed countries often consume large amounts of sucrose due to their consumption of processed foods and sweets. Sucrose increases blood sugar levels quickly, and excessive fructose leads to tooth decay and crashing blood sugar. Lactose does not exist naturally in any plant foods. It is created by female animals in the form of breast milk. Lactose is found in the milk of humans, and most babies and young children digest it without problem. However, many people grow to be unable to digest lactose into their adulthood and suffer from lactose intolerance.
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