Nutritional health benefits of agricultural branded products

Author: Bai Guang, Ma Guozhong / Country:
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: Carbohydrates are the main energy source in the human body. After being digested, they are absorbed in the form of monosaccharides such as glucose. Glucose can be rapidly oxidized to provide energy to the body, with each gram producing 16.72 kilojoules (4 calories). Carbohydrates are also important structural components of the body and participate in various cellular activities. For example, glycolipids formed by carbohydrates and lipids are one of the structural components of cell membranes and nervous tissues; glycoproteins formed by carbohydrates and proteins are components of important physiological substances such as antibodies, certain enzymes, and hormones; ribose and deoxyribose are important components of nucleic acids. Carbohydrates are essential nutrients for the main organs of the human body. For instance, the energy source for heart activity is mainly phosphoglucose and glycogen; almost all the energy required by brain tissue is supplied by the oxidation of glucose. If the supply of glucose to the central nervous system is insufficient, it can cause brain dysfunction, leading to coma, convulsions, or even death. Carbohydrates also have detoxifying effects. For example, if the body has abundant glycogen, its resistance to certain bacterial toxins is enhanced. Sufficient carbohydrate intake in food can prevent proteins from being consumed as energy for antibodies, allowing proteins to be used in more appropriate ways. This effect is known as the protective effect of proteins on carbohydrates. Insufficient carbohydrate intake can lead to energy deficiency, resulting in slow growth and development, weight loss; excessive intake can cause obesity and increase serum triglyceride levels, making it easier to develop atherosclerosis. Overconsumption of high-sugar sweets over time can also burden the white blood cells, making it easier to cause obesity, reduce insulin sensitivity, and become one of the important factors in inducing adult-onset diabetes. Especially elderly people should eat less sugar. If elderly people consume too much sugar, it not only increases blood lipid levels but also exacerbates bone demineralization and osteoporosis in the elderly, making them more prone to fractures. The pancreatic function of elderly people is reduced, and their glucose tolerance decreases. Excessive sugar consumption can lead to disorders in glucose metabolism, elevated blood sugar levels, and the induction or worsening of diabetes. Diabetes can further exacerbate lipid metabolism disorders and accelerate atherosclerosis. Therefore, medical experts believe that the carbohydrates needed by elderly people should primarily come from the consumption of natural cereal foods, which is sufficient for the body's metabolic needs. Elderly people should strictly limit their sugar intake.
3. Metabolism of Carbohydrates
Disaccharides and polysaccharides can be broken down into monosaccharides such as glucose and galactose before being absorbed by the body. After absorption, monosaccharides are transported to the liver via the portal vein. In the liver, they are synthesized into glycogen (hepatic glycogen) and stored for the body's needs. However, the liver has limited capacity, so some glucose still enters the general circulation through the liver. A portion can be stored in muscles, which is called muscle glycogen, while the remaining portion can be oxidized by tissues to provide energy. P10