Question

How do carbohydrates get digested in human beings?

Answer 1

The goal of carbohydrate digestion is to break down complex starches into simple sugars like glucose.

• In the mouth, digestion begins when the salivary glands secrete an enzyme called salivary amylase, which breaks down complex starch into simpler sugars.
• In the stomach, no significant carbohydrate digestion occurs because the acidic environment temporarily inhibits amylase activity.
• In the small intestine, the pancreas releases pancreatic amylase to break down any remaining starches. Finally, intestinal juices finish the process, converting all sugars into simple glucose so it can be absorbed into the blood.