From: gts (gts_2000@yahoo.com)
Date: Sat Apr 12 2003 - 17:54:37 MDT
Robert J. Bradbury wrote:
> On Sat, 12 Apr 2003, gts wrote:
>
>> In itself flour is little more than sugar. It is broken down into
>> sugar before it is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract.
>
> Is this completely accurate? Is there an enzyme secreted in the
> stomach or intestines that actually breaks the starch down into
> individual glucose molecules?
Yes, the enzyme is called amylase. This enzyme is present even in saliva. I
know this from
personal experience as well as from text-book theory: a couple of years ago
I underwent some
periodontal surgery which left my molars sensitive to sugar. I get the sugar
signal from my
molars when I chew thoroughly on a piece of bread.
One might just as well eat candy.
> Or would the starch molecules be taken up by the cells and broken down
> internally?
>
> [Don't know -- mostly curious.]
Not normally, at least not to any great extent. However such things might
occur in certain intestinal disorders like Crohn's disease.
-gts
PS I'm replying onlist to you Robert because my offlist reply to you
bounced.
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