gen-briefly-explain-the-digestion-of-carbohydrates-and-one-commo-5007

Briefly explain the digestion of carbohydrates and one common misconception about it.

## Carbohydrate Digestion (Brief Overview) Carbohydrate digestion begins in the **mouth** with salivary amylase breaking down starches into smaller chains. It pauses in the stomach, then resumes in the **small intestine** where pancreatic amylase continues breaking down complex carbs. Enzymes in the intestinal lining (like maltase, sucrase, and lactase) then split these into simple sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose), which are absorbed into the bloodstream. ## Common Misconception **"All carbs turn to sugar immediately and spike blood sugar the same way"** In reality, carbohydrates digest at very different rates. Simple carbs (white bread, candy) digest quickly and cause rapid blood sugar spikes, while complex carbs with fiber (whole grains, legumes) digest slowly, providing gradual, sustained energy. The presence of fiber, protein, and fat also slows digestion. This is why the glycemic index varies widely among carbohydrate-containing foods—not all carbs impact your body the same way.