Role of carbohydrate in nutrition?5 answersCarbohydrates play a crucial role in human nutrition as they are the primary source of dietary calories and dietary fiber. The type of carbohydrate, such as monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides, determines its energy content and its impact on various conditions related to carbohydrate nutrition, including dental caries, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Carbohydrates were important for our ancestors due to their easy storage without cooling, but with the shift to an abundance of food, the discussion around the healthiness of carbohydrates has emerged. While increased consumption of dietary fiber and non-starch polysaccharides has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors and colorectal function, excessive sugar consumption has been linked to dental caries and increased obesity risk. Carbohydrates are considered an essential nutrient for human health and are included in oral nutritional supplements (ONS) that are used to supplement or provide total nutrition for malnourished patients.
Overview of carbohydrates?5 answersCarbohydrates are naturally occurring organic compounds that are abundant in plants and animals. They serve as a major source of energy for both animals and plants. Carbohydrates can be classified into three major groups based on their chemical structure: low molecular weight mono- and disaccharides, intermediate molecular weight oligosaccharides, and high molecular weight polysaccharides. They are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and are found in a wide variety of foods such as cereals, fruits, vegetables, and milk products. Carbohydrates have diverse applications in various industries, including food, textile, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The properties of carbohydrates are determined by their chemical structure and their ability to form macromolecules and derivatives. Analytical techniques play a crucial role in the identification and isolation of health-promoting carbohydrates for use in the functional foods industry. Efforts are being made to develop improved techniques for the extraction, purification, identification, and quantification of carbohydrates.
How do different carbohydrates affect training?3 answersDifferent carbohydrates can have varying effects on training. Ingesting maltodextrin before and during resistance exercise provides an important anabolic muscle stimulus. Low-carbohydrate availability during endurance training can enhance markers of aerobic adaptation, but may increase exercise-induced amino acid oxidation, limiting substrate availability. Feeding grain to Quarter horses during early stages of training can lead to increased fearfulness, self-preservation behavior, and higher mean heart rate, potentially inhibiting training effectiveness. The effect of carbohydrate intake on strength training performance is inconclusive, with some studies showing no improvement and others showing enhanced performance, particularly in workouts with over 10 sets per muscle group. Carbohydrate intake can increase carbohydrate availability for the muscle and central nervous system, enhancing performance in high-intensity training or competition settings.
What are the basic characteristics of carbohydrates?3 answersCarbohydrates are organic compounds that are found in a variety of foods and have important biological functions. They can be classified into different groups based on their chemical structure and degree of polymerization. These groups include sugars (monosaccharides and disaccharides), polyols (sugar alcohols), oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides ^[Kiely and Hickey, 2020] ^[Marcus, 2019] ^[Can et al., 2020] ^[Köchy, 2020]. Carbohydrates provide energy reserves, serve as structural components, and act as metabolic intermediates in living organisms. They have distinct structural characteristics and physical properties, and undergo diverse chemical reactions ^[Köchy, 2020]. Carbohydrates are also important in the food industry, as they can be used as additives in functional foods ^[Kiely and Hickey, 2020]. Additionally, carbohydrates have been utilized in biomedical applications, such as the design of nanovehicles and nanocarriers for drug delivery ^[Can et al., 2020]. Overall, carbohydrates play a crucial role in nutrition, health, and various industrial applications.
What are carbohydrates?3 answersCarbohydrates are organic compounds that are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. They are the most abundant biomolecules on Earth and are found in a wide variety of foods. Carbohydrates can range from simple sugars to complex molecules such as starches, cellulose, and pectins. They serve as a major source of energy in the human diet, with glucose being the key energy molecule. Carbohydrates also have important industrial applications, including their use as sweeteners, thickeners, and gelling agents in the food industry. Additionally, carbohydrates play a crucial role in protein-carbohydrate interactions, which are involved in various biological processes and have applications in pharmaceutical drug design.
What are the properties and functions of carbohydrates?5 answersCarbohydrates have various properties and functions. They are major components of our food and play important roles in human life. Carbohydrates are found on the outer surface of cells and are responsible for cell-cell interactions and host-pathogen interactions. Carbohydrates can be classified into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and complex carbohydrates. Monosaccharides and disaccharides, also known as simple carbohydrates, provide quick bursts of energy. Carbohydrates are the chief source of energy for the body, with simple carbs providing quick energy and compound carbs providing sustained energy. In pigs, different types and structures of carbohydrates promote growth performance, intestinal functions, and regulate gut microbiota and lipid and glucose metabolism. The physical, chemical, and biological properties of carbohydrates depend on their primary structures. Overall, carbohydrates are involved in various biological events and provide energy for the body, making them essential for human life and animal nutrition and health.