Home › Nutrition › NUTRITION WHY’S #12: CARBOHYDRATE DIGESTION- Carbohydrates are digested in the mouth, stomach, small intestine, and colon depending on their structure.

NUTRITION WHY’S #12: CARBOHYDRATE DIGESTION- Carbohydrates are digested in the mouth, stomach, small intestine, and colon depending on their structure.

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NUTRITION WHY'S #12: CARBOHYDRATE DIGESTION- Carbohydrates are digested in the mouth, stomach, small intestine, and colon depending on their structure. In the mouth, saliva has an enzyme called amylase which digests polysaccharides. Saliva moistens the food which then is swallowed and enters the stomach where acid destroys bacteria and protein is digested. There is no further digestion of carbohydrates in the stomach. In the small intestine amylase from the pancreas further digests polysaccharides into simple sugars called disaccharides and monosaccharides (like glucose and fructose)which are absorbed in the small intestine. Carbohydrates including soluble fibers that are not digested reach the colon where they are broken down by gut bacteria. Insoluble fibers are not digested and are excreted with the feces. There are bacteria in the mouth called Streptococcus mutans which digests glucose and secretes acid that can cause cavities and inflammation of the gums.The stomach has relatively small numbers of bacteria. The small intestines have up to 10 million bacteria while the colon has about 10 trillion bacteria and about 1000 different species. The carbohydrates that reach the colon and are partially or completely digested affect the various bacterial populations. Fruits, vegetables, and fibers are prebiotic since they affect the bacteria in the colon. #drdavidheber #carbohydrates #digestion #bacteria #fiber #prebiotic to learn more go to www.drdavidheber.com and www.herbalifenutrition institute.com

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Categories: Nutrition

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