DIFFERENT KINDS OF SUGARS

Sugars are classified into three different groups: monosaccharides, disaccharides (sucrose, lactose, maltose), and polysaccharide. 

MONOSACCARIDES

 Also called simple sugars, are formed by a single molecule, as in the case of glucose, fructose, and galactose. They are the building block of any other sugar and cannot be broken down. 

 GLUCOSE

 It is found naturally in many food choices. When intaken in its pure form, it goes directly into the bloodstream. The body metabolizes every source of carbohydrates, breaking it down, converting it into glucose, and utilizing it for energy.
 The liver utilizes the insulin (produced by the pancreas) and glucose to create glycogen, which gets stored in the liver and muscles, and used (for energy) in a process called “glycolysis.”

 FRUCTOSE

 Found mainly in fruits, it must be converted into glucose before being utilized. Since it must be metabolized before its use, it raises the sugar levels of the blood more gradually than the glucose. 

GALACTOSE

 Despite being a monosaccharide, it’s mainly found in lactose (a disaccharide), bound to a molecule of glucose. Just as in the case of fructose, it must be converted into glucose before being utilized.

DISACCHARIDES

 It is the name given to any sugar formed by two monosaccharide molecules. Their digestion is slower than the monosaccharides since it must be broken down into simple sugars and then absorbed by the intestine to be converted into glucose by the liver.  The most common examples would be Sucrose, also known as table sugar (glucose+fructose), Maltose (2 molecules of glucose), and Lactose (galactose+glucose).

POLYSACCHARIDES

 Colloquially known as “complex carbohydrates”, are formed by a chain of up to several thousands of monosaccharides.
The most common examples of polysaccharides are:
 Starch, found in bread, pasta, potatoes, etc.
Glycogen, produced by the liver, and stored in the liver and muscles.
 Cellulose, found in plants, which makes it the most abundant organic molecule on earth.

Polysaccharides play a vital role in the body. Starch and glycogen provide the main source of energy for bodily functions as well as providing carbon atoms, for the synthesis of fats and proteins.

RESEARCH BEFORE COMMITTING

There is a wide variety of dietary trends. They are all based on the proportion and source of the macronutrients that determine your caloric intake. Before enrolling in any nutritional regime, take the time to research the function, benefits, recommendations, and consequences of the macronutrients you are planning on eating. Consult with reliable sources, as the American Heart Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Mayo Clinic, etc.
Remember that to write any false statement or information on any random page on the internet, it takes little effort, and it doesn’t require to have any scientific study to support it.