Sugar: The Properties
Sugars important in nutrition consist of monosaccharides, having the general formula C6H12O6, and disaccharides, having the general formula C12H22O11. Although the monosaccharides consist of 3-carbon sugars (trioses), 4-carbon (tetroses), 5-carbon (pentoses), and 6-carbon sugars (hexoses), only the latter are important in human nutrition as sources of energy.
Glucose, 6-carbon sugars, is one of the simplest carbohydrates found in foods. While many foods contain traces of glucose, it is found in significance amounts only in fruits, such as grapes. Fructose, also a 6-carbon sugar, is found in fruits and honey. Both of these sugars can be utilized by the body as a source of energy.
Sucrose the ordinary table sugar derived form the sugar cane and beets is a 12-carbon sugar that is broken down in the intestine to glucose and fructose, hence utilized as a source of energy.
Lactose, the 12-carbon sugar present on milk, is broken down in the intestine to glucose and galactose (6 carbon sugars), both of which can be used as sources of energy.
Sugar: The Properties
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