|
Starch and Starchy Carbohydrates |
Carbs in Food |
|
Information About Carbs | Carbohydrates Guide | Low Carb Diets |
Starch and Starchy CarbohydratesWhat
Are Carbohydrates? - Carbohydrate
Science - Synthesis of Carbohydrates
- Monosaccharides - Disaccharides
- Oligosaccharides Starch is a type of carbohydrate. Specifically, starch is a complex carbohydrate (polysaccharide) made from thousands of glucose units. Starch is the main compound that plants use to store their food energy. Starch is One of Three Types of CarbohydratesThere are three basic types of carbs: (1) starchy carbohydrates (polysaccharides); (2) sugars (monosaccharides or disaccharides) and (3) dietary fiber (polysaccharides). Carbs are one of three main food nutrients: the others being protein and fat. Starch is a Plant ChemicalChemically speaking, starch is a white, odorless, tasteless, solid carbohydrate, typically composed of long chains of glucose molecules (1000 or more). The most common forms are amylose and amylopectin. Plants store the energy produced by photosynthesis in the form of starch. Starch is a Complex CarbohydrateBecause the molecular structure of complex carbohydrates is more complicated, than more simple carbohydrate sugars, like sucrose and glucose, the body cannot metabolize complex carbs into energy as quickly as simple carbs. Result? Complex carbs are not digested and turned into energy as fast as sugars (except for fructose) and therefore keep us full for longer. Starch is an Intermediate or High Glycemic Index FoodHowever, the classification of carbs into "simple" or "complex carbs" has been superceded by the Glycemic Index, which rates carbs according to their effect on blood-glucose levels. Many starchy foods (eg. potatoes) are now classified as intermediate or high-glycemic-index foods and should (for best effects on blood-sugar and insulin sensitivity) be eaten in combination with lower glycemic index foods. Starch in FoodsStarch is found in plant-based foods, especially cereals, bread, potatoes, legumes (beans), pasta and rice, which are all classified as "starchy carbohydrates." Starch is also found in some fruits, vegetables, and in the roots and stem pith of plants. |
|
Carbs-Information.com provides general information about different types of carbohydrate, like monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, as well as nutritional value of carbohydrates, carb-content of foods, plus details of GI values of all food groups, plus advice about diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. But no information is intended as a substitute for medical advice. Copyright 2003-2006. |