Carbohydrates and the Glycemic Index
Carbohydrates are a group of organic compounds that include sugars, celluloses and starches that serve as a major source in the diet of animals. All of these compounds are indigestible plant fibers. Carbs are digested primarily depending on the complexity of its molecule structure.
In other words, the more complex the carbohydrate is, the harder it will break down in the digestive track and absorb in the bloodstream. However, carbs divide into 3 groups: monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides are carbohydrates that do not hydrolyze or break down to simple sugars such as glucose, fructose or ribose which normally occurs naturally. Disaccharides also known as “double sugars” are any group of carbs, such as lactose or sucrose that are composed of two monosaccharide molecules on complete hydrolysis. Polysaccharides are carbohydrates such as starches, insulin or cellulose, which contains more than three monosaccharides joined by glycosidic bonds.
 There are very complex carbs, which cannot be digested into the blood stream at all, such as indigestible plant fibers. The metabolism is made to breakdown monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides by a secrete number of digestive enzymes that flood into the gastrointestinal tract. Since the digestive system runs from the mouth to the small intestine, the enzymes can attack the carbs in gastrointestinal and slowly, but gradually transform them into simple sugars.
As soon as this process happens the simple sugars will absorb into the blood stream. The overall purpose for the digestive enzymes is to chop long starch molecules into simpler starches. From the mouth, our saliva contains amylases, which are enzymes that immediately begin to break down the more complex carbs.
Then, the enzymes reach the stomach and allow the glands to release digestive acids to break the carbohydrates down even more. From here, the pancreas works into the first section of the small intestine, which is the duodenum. Once the carbs are in the duodenum they begin to break down the carbs into simple sugars such as, maltose, lactose and sucrose.
As soon as the carbohydrates pass deeper into the intestine, the enzymes chop maltose, lactose and sucrose into smaller pieces, which are then transformed into glucose. Finally, the glucose can absorb into the bloodstream.
Best Low GI Diets
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