BACKGROUND
Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy compounds that are either aldehydes or ketones that contain only
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates comprise about 60% of our daily caloric intake and are
the major source of metabolic energy. Carbohydrates are categorized as monosaccharides,
disaccharides, or polysaccharides.
Monosaccharides:
Are the simplest carbohydrates and serve as the building blocks for di and poly saccharides.
Glucose, galactose, and fructose are examples of monosaccharides. All digestible dietary carbohydrates
in our diet are eventually broken down into glucose, and therefore it is also commonly known as blood
sugar. Foods that tend to elevate blood sugar levels too high and too fast are thought to contribute to
insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Fructose is found in fruits and fruit juices and in honey. Fructose
is also commonly known as fruit sugar, and can be found in a large number of foods items (as high
fructose corn syrup).
All monosaccharides are reducing sugars (i,e, they can be oxidized), and either contain an
aldehyde (aldoses) or a ketone (ketoses) group.
Disaccharides: