Szénhidrátbontás

Szénhidrátbontás, commonly translated as carbohydrate breakdown or digestion, refers to the metabolic processes by which complex carbohydrates are broken down into simpler sugars that can be absorbed and utilized by the body. This process begins in the mouth with salivary amylase, an enzyme that starts to hydrolyze starch into smaller polysaccharides and disaccharides. When the food reaches the stomach, the acidic environment inactivates salivary amylase, halting carbohydrate digestion temporarily.

Upon entering the small intestine, pancreatic amylase continues the breakdown of starch and glycogen into disaccharides like maltose, sucrose, and lactose. Further enzymatic action by brush border enzymes, such as maltase, sucrase, and lactase, located in the intestinal lining, then hydrolyzes these disaccharides into monosaccharides, primarily glucose, fructose, and galactose. These simple sugars are then absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal villi. Glucose is the primary fuel source for most cells, and its uptake is regulated by insulin. If not immediately needed for energy, glucose can be stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles, or converted into fat for long-term energy storage. The process of szénhidrátbontás is essential for providing the body with the energy required for all its functions.