Disaccharides vs. Monosaccharides
Article Sources
- 1. Zacharias, Dr. Eric. ‘Basic Understanding of Carbohydrates.' Boulder Medical Center, 24 Aug. 2015, www.bouldermedicalcenter.com/basic-understanding-of-carbohydrates/
- 2. 'Blood Sugar | Blood Glucose | Diabetes | MedlinePlus.' MedlinePlus - Health Information from the National Library of Medicine, NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, medlineplus.gov/bloodsugar.html
We know sugar by many names, such as cane sugar, brown sugar, molasses and barley malt; however, some sugars have less impact on the body, and other sugars are difficult for our bodies to process.
Sugars like monosaccharides and disaccharides are simple carbohydrates. Fiber and starch are complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are composed of one or two sugar molecules. Complex carbohydrates form when three or more sugar molecules bind together to form long chains that can be straight or branched. Carbohydrates are a significant macronutrient the body uses for energy, and how they get digested impacts our weight and overall health.
1. What Are Disaccharides and Monosaccharides?
Monosaccharides and disaccharides are part of the simple carbohydrates subgroup. Monosaccharides are made from a single simple sugar molecule. These simple sugar molecules do not break down any further. Disaccharides contain two monosaccharides bonded together. Both monosaccharides and disaccharides have similar properties, such as being water-soluble and sweet-tasting. They are the simplest forms of sugar.1Zacharias, Dr. Eric. ‘Basic Understanding of Carbohydrates.’ Boulder Medical Center, 24 Aug. 2015, www.bouldermedicalcenter.com/basic-understanding-of-carbohydrates/
Monosaccharide names end with the suffix –ose, such as glucose or fructose. Disaccharides also end with –ose and include sucrose, known as table sugar. Monosaccharides and disaccharides are the main types of simple sugars.
