NUTRITIONAL IMPORTANCEOF

CARBOHYDRATES

ABDUL MUQEET (BMIS A) (70135084)

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WHAT IS A CARBOHYDRATE?
A carbohydrate is a naturally occurring compound, or a derivative of such a compound with
a general chemical formula Cx(H2O)y made up of molecules of) carbon (C), hydrogen (H),
and oxygen (O).

EXAMPLES: Glucose, Fructose, Starch, Lactose, Maltose etc.

CLASSIFICATION:
Carbohydrates are classified into monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides,
and polysaccharides based on their structures.
• Monosaccharides: It is a class of carbohydrates having one sugar molecule. They
cannot be hydrolysed into simpler sugar molecules. For example, glucose,
fructose, and galactose are some monosaccharides.
• Disaccharides: It is a class of carbohydrates that contain two monosaccharide
units joined by a glycosidic bond. Examples are sucrose, lactose, and maltose.
• Oligosaccharides: It is a class of carbohydrates that contain a small number of
monosaccharide units, such as three to ten units joined by an o-glycosidic bond:
example- raffinose.
• Polysaccharides: As the name depicts, polysaccharides are ‘polymer of
saccharides’. We may call them ‘complex carbohydrates. They are long
polymeric chains of monosaccharide units joined together by glycosidic linkage:
example- starch, cellulose, glycogen, and chitin.
NUTRITIONAL IMPORTANCE OF CARBOHYDRATES
Foods high in carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet. Carbohydrates provide
the body with glucose, which is converted to energy used to support bodily functions
and physical activity and providing glucose as an energy source to the tissues,

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precursors of nucleic acids, and mucopolysaccharides. Some carbohydrates have
agglutinating properties, relevant in the production of diets. Each gram of carbohydrates
provides 4 calories. The body breaks carbohydrates down into glucose, which is the primary
energy source for the brain and muscles. Carbohydrates are one of three macronutrients,
which are nutrients that the body needs in larger amounts. The other macronutrients are
protein and fats.

Function of Carbohydrates

❖ In a well balanced diet, atleast 40% of the caloric needs of the body should be met
from carbohydrates.
❖ Dietary carbohydrates are the chief source of energy. They contribute to 60-70% of
total caloric requirement of the body.
❖ From the nutritional point of view, carbohydrates are grouped into 2 categories.

• Carbohydrates utilized by the body starch, sucrose, lactose, glucose,

fructose.

• Carbohydrates not utilized (not digested) by body-cellulose, hemicellulose,

pectin, gums etc.

CARBOHYDRATE SOURCE
Fructose Fruits, Honey
Glucose Fruits
Sucrose Sugar Cane
Lactose Milk
Maltose Malt
Starch Cereals, pulses
Glycogen Meat
Dextrin Along with starch

❖ Major source of energy:

• Carbohydrates are the principal source of energy, supplying 60-80% of the
caloric requirements of the body.
❖ Proteins pairing actions:

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 • Proteins performed specialized functions of body building and growth.
Carbohydrates come to the rescue & spare the protein from being misused
for caloric purpose.
❖ Absolute requirements by brain:

• The brain & other parts of central nervous system are dependant on glucose
for energy. Prolonged hypoglycemia may lead to irreversible brain damage.
❖ Required for the oxidation of fat:

• Acetyl CoA is formed in fatty acid oxidation. It combines with oxaloacetate,

the latter is predominantly derived from carbohydrates.
• Fat burns in a fuel of carbohydrates. Excess utilization of fats coupled with
deficiency of carbohydrates leads to ketosis.
❖ Energy supply for muscle work:

• The muscle glycogen is broken down to lactic acid (glycolysis) to provide

energy for muscle contraction
❖ Synthesis of Pentoses:
• Pentoses (e.g. riboses) are the constituents of several compounds in the body
e.g nucleic acids (DNA, RNA). coenzyme (NAD, FAD).
• These pentoses are produced in carbohydrates metabolism (HMP Shunt).
❖ Synthesis of non-essential amino acids:
• The intermediates of carbohydrate metabolism, mainly the ketoacids (e.g
Pyruvic Acid), serve as precursors for the synthesis of non-essential amino
acids.
PYRUVIC ACID ALANINE Oxaloacetic Acid Aspartic Acid
❖ Synthesis of fat:

• Excess consumption of carbohydrates leads to the formation of fat.

❖ Non-digestible carbohydrates:
• Not utilized by body but they improve bowel motility, lower cholesterol,
prevent constipation, improve glucose tolerance.
❖ Dietary fiber:
• Fiber requirement is about 30 g/day. The inclusion of fiber rich food in weight
reducing diet is found to be helpful, since it provides a sense fullness without
consumption of excess calories.
❖ Building Macromolecules:
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 • Glucose is additionally utilized to make the molecule NADPH, which is
important for protection against oxidative stress and is used in many other
chemical reactions in the body. If all of the energy, glycogen-storing capacity,
and building needs of the body are met, excess glucose can be used to make
fat.
➢ Cellulose and other closely related undigestible CHOs aid in normal excretion. They
stimulate the peristaltic movements of the GI tract and absorb water to give bulk to
the intestinal contents.
➢ CHOs are the important components of many compounds such as nucleic acids,
connective tissues.

Effects of over intake of Carbohydrates:

1. Weight gain.
2. High blood sugar.
3. Fatigue.
4. High cholesterol.
5. High serum insulin.
6. Skin issues.
7. High Triglycerides.
8. Obesity.
9. Constipation and bloating.
10. The digestive system gets disturbed.

Effects of low intake of Carbohydrate:

1. Lack of Energy.
2. Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar or low blood glucose, occurs when
the glucose levels in the blood drop below normal.
3. Ketosis, eating less than 130 grams of carbohydrates a day can cause a buildup of
ketones, which are partially broken-down fats in the blood. This condition is known
as ketosis.

Reasons you should be eating Carbs:

1. Carbs can help boost your mood.
2. Carbs can help prevent weight gain—and might even promote weight loss.

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 3. Carbs are good for your heart. As increasing your soluble-fiber intake by 5 to 10
grams each day could result in a 5 percent drop in *bad* LDL cholesterol.
4. Carbs will help you trim your waistline.
5. Carbs will keep your memory sharp.

How many carbohydrates do you need?

The Dietary Guideline for Americans recommended that carbohydrates make up 45% to
65% of total daily calories.
So if you get 2,000 calories a day, between 900 and 1,300 calories should be from
carbohydrates. That translates to between 225 and 325 grams of carbs a day.
Carbohydrates are crucial and healthy part of any eating pattern. Though they might get a
bad rep in several trending diets. An important part of having sustainable diet is including
foods you enjoy and have variety, so there is no need to eliminate carbs if you want to be
healthy.

References:
➢ MayoClinic.Org
➢ Dr.Rohini Sane (Slideshare.net)
➢ Nutritional Importance of Carbohydrates (Scribd.com)

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