Digestion and Absorption of Carbohydrates and Proteins

DIGESTION & ABSORPTION OF CARBOHYDRATES & PROTEINS +

• In this eLearning module, you will learn about the Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and proteins. Carbohydrates are sugar molecules and are one of the three main nutrients found in foods and drinks. The digestion of carbohydrates begins in the mouth. Starches and sugars are broken down both mechanically and chemically into single units of glucose, fructose, and galactose during digestion, which are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported for use as energy throughout the body. The resultant monosaccharides are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the liver.Protein digestion begins in the mouth. Once a protein source reaches the stomach, hydrochloric acid, and enzymes called proteases break it down into smaller chains of amino acids. From the stomach, these smaller chains of amino acids move into the small intestine.