Saccharide Characteristics and Their Potential Health Effects in Perspective

Abstract

To understand the effects of saccharides on our metabolism and health, we need a clear understanding of what they are, how they differ, and why some types are deemed "less healthy" and others "better for health." There are various ways to look at this topic. Firstly, saccharides can be classified according to their degree of polymerization (DP). This classification is useful when qualitative or quantitative analysis and calculation of intakes are required or for food-labeling definitions. However, it does not account for the fact that saccharides with a similar DP can differ in molecular composition, which will influence digestion, absorption, and metabolism. Secondly, another approach widely used in the biomedical and nutritional sciences is therefore a physiological classification, which addresses the rate and degree of digestibility and absorption, the glycemic response, and the metabolic fate. The individual health status also plays a role in this respect. An active, lean person will have a metabolic response that differs from an inactive person with overweight and insulin resistance. However, this approach will not give a complete answer either because the characteristics of the matrix/meal in which these carbohydrates (CHOs) are present will also influence the responses of our body. Thirdly, one can also rank CHOs by comparing their functional/technological properties, such as relative sweetness, viscosity, and solubility. Understanding CHO characteristics and related physiological responses will help understand health and disease implications. Therefore, a brief outline of different carbohydrate classifications is presented. This outline will be placed in the context of potential overall effects after consumption. The answer to the question whether we should we eat less of certain sugars depends on the angle from which you look at this matter; for example, do you address this question from a single molecular characteristic point of view or from a meal quality perspective? Looking at one particular CHO characteristic will almost always lead to a different conclusion (e.g., the labeling of fructose as toxic) than evaluating from a "total perspective" (fructose has adverse effects in certain conditions). Examples are given to help understand this matter for the benefit of justified dietary/food-based recommendations.

Genome-centric analysis of short and long read metagenomes reveals uncharacterized microbiome diversity in Southeast Asians

“…While a significant fraction of GCFs were predicted to encode for saccharides (N=5,888, 37%), in line with their important functions in microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions 40 , many novel GCFs appear to encode diverse bioactive compounds such as ribosomally translated and post translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), polyketides and non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs) ( Figure 2D ), some of which may have antimicrobial function ( Supplementary Note 2 ). In particular, a group of GCFs not represented in curated databases was predicted to synthesize a bacteriocin in a Blautia species, with 3 distinct gene configurations and genes encoding enzymes for peptide modification (radical SAM superfamily) and ABC transporter genes (GCF382/271/37, Figure 2E ).…”

Sugars and Gastrointestinal Health

“…UPF consumption leads to excessive sugar intake. Sugar metabolism can be divided into two main parts: digestible carbohydrates used as fuel or stored and poorly absorbed carbohydrates, of which some are used by the gut microbiota 44 . Like all nutrients, excessive intake results in accumulation.…”

“…Despite the growing interest of the scientific and medical community, the direct effects of sugars on healthy individuals' intestines remain J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f 12 poorly described 19 . For this reason, an increased focus on the overall effects and quality of carbohydrate sources and meals for food-based guidelines rather than individual componentbased recommendations is needed 44 . However, a recent article suggests that carbohydrate quality seems to have a more important role in population health than carbohydrate amount 45 .…”

“…First, carbohydrate terminology and classification depend on their polymerization degree or digestibility (Figure 2) 43 . Some carbohydrates present the same degree of polymerization but different effects, and physicochemical, technological, or functional characteristics influence sugar metabolism (Table 1) 44 . Carbohydrates have a wide range of physiological effects that may be important to health, such as provision of energy, effects on satiety, control of blood glucose levels (insulin metabolism), protein glycosylation, lipid metabolism, bile acid dihydroxylation, fermentation (short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, control of colonic epithelial cell function), bowel habits and the gut microbiota 45 .…”

Metabolomic Differential Compounds Reflecting the Clinical Efficacy of Polyethylene Glycol Recombinant Human Growth Hormone in the Treatment of Childhood Growth Hormone Deficiency

“…Furthermore, fatty acids (palmitoleic acid and oleic acid) have distinct ways of regulating energy homeostasis ( Innes and Calder, 2018 ). D-Galactose is completely metabolized upon first pass (from the gut) through the liver, where it is converted into glucose, lactate, glycogen, and lipids ( Brouns, 2017 ; Gonzalez et al, 2017 ). Glucose is broken down to pyruvic acid, and then pyruvic acid is decarboxylated to acetyl-CoA, which is the source for the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) ( Akram, 2014 ).…”