Carbohydrate Digestion Process

Overview of Carbohydrate Digestion

• Carbohydrate digestion is the process of breaking down carbohydrates into simpler sugars that can be absorbed and utilized by the body.
• It occurs in the mouth and small intestine, and involves the action of enzymes and other digestive substances.

Mouth:

• Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth, where the enzyme salivary amylase breaks down carbohydrates into maltose and dextrins.
• Salivary amylase is produced by the salivary glands and is mixed with food during chewing.

Small Intestine:

• The partially digested carbohydrates from the mouth enter the small intestine, where they are further broken down by pancreatic amylase.
• Pancreatic amylase converts carbohydrates into maltose and dextrins.
• The enzyme maltase then breaks down maltose into glucose, which is absorbed into the bloodstream.
• The enzyme lactase breaks down lactose (a sugar found in milk) into glucose and galactose.

Final Steps:

• The absorbed glucose is transported to the liver via the hepatic portal vein.
• The liver regulates glucose levels in the blood by storing excess glucose as glycogen or releasing stored glucose into the bloodstream as needed.
• Glucose is then distributed to the body's cells, where it is used for energy production or stored for later use.

Carbohydrate Digestion

• Carbohydrate digestion is the process of breaking down carbohydrates into simpler sugars that can be absorbed and utilized by the body.

Mouth

• Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth, where salivary amylase breaks down carbohydrates into maltose and dextrins.
• Salivary amylase is produced by the salivary glands and is mixed with food during chewing.

Small Intestine

• The partially digested carbohydrates from the mouth enter the small intestine, where they are further broken down by pancreatic amylase.
• Pancreatic amylase converts carbohydrates into maltose and dextrins.
• Maltase breaks down maltose into glucose, which is absorbed into the bloodstream.
• Lactase breaks down lactose (a sugar found in milk) into glucose and galactose.

Final Steps

• Absorbed glucose is transported to the liver via the hepatic portal vein.
• The liver regulates glucose levels in the blood by storing excess glucose as glycogen or releasing stored glucose into the bloodstream as needed.
• Glucose is then distributed to the body's cells, where it is used for energy production or stored for later use.