Carbohydrates monosaccharides are easily digestible substances that are very important in the human diet. If you eat a product rich in this substance, then you will be charged with the necessary amount of energy for the whole day.
So, a monosaccharide is a heterofunctional compound. Next, we consider in more detail each type, useful properties and examples.
Properties of Monosaccharides
So, what are these substances useful for? To begin with, we emphasize that monosaccharide is a simple sugar. We distinguish the following types:
- glucose;
- galactose;
- fructose.
Note that despite the identical molecular formula (C6H12O6), all have different isomers. Based on this, they have various properties, which we will consider in great detail, but before that it is necessary to note the chemical properties of monosaccharides.
Chemical properties
One of three functional groups may be present in a monosaccharide molecule:
- carbonyl;
- alcohol hydroxyl;
- semi-acetal hydroxyl.
By what functional group the monosaccharide contains, and its chemical properties are determined. A very important feature of monosaccharides is fermentation, which is mainly subject to hexoses. Based on the nature of the enzyme, the following reactions are distinguished:
- alcohol fermentation ;
- lactic acid;
- butyric acid;
- citric acid;
- acetone-butanol.
Note that a monosaccharide is a carbohydrate that, under the influence of oxidation, releases a very large amount of energy, therefore we need these substances in life. Let's move on to the analysis of monosaccharides such as glucose, fructose and galactose.
Glucose
Probably, in my life, everyone has heard about glucose and its benefits. It is an excellent source of energy, very important for cellular respiration, and essential for protein production.
Glucose is a monosaccharide that is a source of nutrition for the brain. It is necessary in order to control the mental state of a person, with a deficiency of a given substance, he becomes irritable, loses self-control, is not able to make a responsible decision.
As a rule, glucose is not in the product in its pure form, it is part of more complex carbohydrates. When they enter our body with food, then the splitting of complex substances into simpler ones takes place. So our body receives glucose and the necessary energy.
Note that monosaccharides (including glucose) are very rapidly absorbed into the blood, so they are necessary after exercise and in the morning. It is not worth consuming sugary and sweet processed dishes, but getting the necessary dose with the help of natural products such as fruits, yoghurts and so on.
Fructose
Where is this monosaccharide contained? These are vegetables and fruits, honey and sweetened foods. From where fructose is located, its beneficial properties also depend. If you eat natural products, then metabolism will improve, you will saturate the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals, which are simply necessary for the normal functioning of organs.
As mentioned earlier, its properties depend on the source of fructose. For example, take syrup and a natural apple. In syrup, there is much more of this monosaccharide, which is given in a simplified form, but in a natural product it is less, but it is in combination with other necessary trace elements. So, for example, in a can of soda, the fructose content is much higher, but eating an apple is more beneficial. A syrup contains only one fructose, and fruits and vegetables contain the necessary substances that help the body better absorb it.
Why, then, if the syrup contains more fructose, is it worth considering to reduce the use of this product? To begin with, an excess of this monosaccharide in the body leads to poor health, weight gain, an excess of cholesterol and a decrease in appetite control. It is very harmful to use fructose as a sweetener. The use of such products should be moderate.
Galactose
The first thing I would like to note is that galactose, like fructose or glucose, does not occur in nature in its pure form. It is formed during the course of a reaction such as hydrolysis of lactose. Where is it contained? Of course, in milk, which is a very significant source of energy for mammals (including humans).
Note that it forms glycolipids and glycoprotein, which are necessary for the tissues of the body. Why else do we need galactose? Of course, so that the body can produce lactose. This applies to lactating women. How does this happen and how to get galactose? To do this, you need to use foods that contain a large amount of glucose, the body then processes it into galactose, which directly affects the production of milk by the mammary glands. As can be seen from this example, all monosaccharides are interconnected, some can appear at the expense of others.
As for the properties of galactose, they differ significantly from the properties of other monosaccharides. With it, you can control your weight, it is the basis of sports nutrition, as it provides the body with a charge of energy, which lasts much longer. That is why athletes are much more enduring than a person who is not related to sports.
Monosaccharides. Examples
Now consider such an important question: where are these substances? The main sources of energy and well-being are monosaccharides. Examples of products that contain a large amount of these substances:
- Cereal crops. If you consume them with added sugar, they contain both fructose and glucose. What could it be? Bakery products, granola, cereals, pasta and so on.
- Fruits and berries. Moreover, even ketchup falls into this category, since tomato is a berry. This includes any frozen vegetables and fruits, jams, syrups, fruit drinks, preserves and other products.
- Dairy. They contain glucose and lactose, here we take milk, yogurt, cream cheese, ice cream and so on.
- Honey.
- Sweets.
- Syrups.
- Guilt
This is not the whole list of products that contain carbohydrates monosaccharides. They are also found in various energetics, which are very harmful to humans. It is worth giving preference to natural products.