Carbs! Who are you?

Carbs are crucial for our well-being; indeed, apart from providing us energy, they are involved in many other physiological processes such as: synthesis of amino acids, DNA, RNA, ATP; etc.

Nutritionally carbs are classified as DIGESTIBLE and NON-DIGESTIBLE carbohydrates.

DIGESTIBLE carbs are those digested by our intestinal enzymes and then absorbed in the small intestine. Once absorbed, these carbs are transported by the blood stream to various tissues in order to be used. This group consists of monomers such as glucose, fructose and galactose (in fruit and honey); di-saccharides such as sucrose and lactose (milk); and polymers such as starch (in cereals, legumes and vegetables).

Differently, NON-DIGESTIBLE carbs cannot be degraded by our intestinal enzymes. These carbs escape the intestinal digestion in the small intestine and reach the large intestine, where they can be potentially fermented by our symbiotic microflora. NON-DIGESTIBLE carbs are commonly known as dietary fibers, which are mainly of plant origin and consist of: cellulose, hemicellulose, beta-glucans; resistant oligo-saccharides (e.g. fructans and galactans); resistant starch and lignin. Although we cannot digest and absorb them, NON-DIGESTIBLE carbs are still crucial to us since they serve as “food” for our symbiotic intestinal micro-flora, which performs essential functions (i.e. activities we cannot accomplish) for our physiology. In fact intestinal micro-flora is responsible for the regulation of the energy metabolism, the proper development of many organs (e.g. brain, immune system) and protection from intestinal pathogens.

Moreover fibers can exert other activities not related to intestinal micro-flora: for example they help to regulate the transit time, to protect from toxic xenobiotic, etc..

Ultimately we need to eat both types of carbs for our well-being.

Thank you

Ciao

Francesco