50 Examples of Carbohydrates


The carbohydrates, carbohydrates or carbohydrates are biomolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Carbohydrates are part of the bodies of living beings fulfilling structural and energy storage functions. For example: ribose, sucrose, raffinose, starch.

By consuming them in food, offer a readily available source of energy (unlike fats, which also contain energy but require a longer process in the body to obtain it). The process by which a carbohydrate molecule releases its energy is called oxidation.

Each gram of carbohydrate contributes 4 kilocalories.

Types of Carbohydrates

According to their structure, carbohydrates are classified into:

  • Monosaccharides. Formed by a single molecule.
  • Disaccharides. Formed by two monosaccharide molecules, joined by a covalent bond (glycosidic bond).
  • Oligosaccharides. Made up of between three and nine monosaccharide molecules. They are usually bound to proteins, so they form glycoproteins.
  • Polysaccharides. Formed by chains of ten or more monosaccharides. The chains may or may not be branched. In organisms, they fulfill structure and storage functions.

Meals with carbohydrates.

Examples of monosaccharides

  1. Arabinose. He is not free in nature.
  2. Ribose. Is found in:
    • Cow liver
    • Pork loin
    • Mushrooms
    • Spinach
    • Broccoli
    • Asparagus
    • Unpasteurized milk
  1. Fructose. Is found in:
    • Carob
    • Plums
    • Apples
    • Tamarind
    • Honey
    • Figs
    • Grapefruits
    • Tomatoes
    • Coconut
  1. Glucose. It is essential for good physical and mental functioning. Is found in:
    • Dairy products
    • Nuts
    • Cereals
  1. Galactose. It is not in a natural state.
  2. Mannose. In food, it is found in legumes.
  3. Xylose. It is difficult to digest, it is found in the following foods:
    • Corn
    • Corn husks

Examples of disaccharides

  1. Saccharose. Composed of one molecule of glucose and one of fructose. It is the most abundant disaccharide. In food, it is found in:
    • Vegetables
    • Fruit
    • Sugar
    • Beetroot
    • Sweet industrial drinks
    • Candy
    • Candies

Carbs in sweets and candies

  1. Lactose. Composed of a molecule of galactose and a molecule of glucose. In food, it is found in:
    • Milk
    • Yogurt
    • Cheese
    • Other dairy
  1. Maltose. Formed by two glucose molecules. It is the least common disaccharide in nature, but it is formed industrially. In food, it is found in:
    • Beer
    • Bread
  1. Cellobiose. Formed by two glucose molecules. It does not exist as such in nature.

Examples of oligosaccharides

  1. Raffinose. Is found in:
    • Beet stalks
  1. Melicitous. Composed of one molecule of fructose and two of glucose. In food, it is found in:

Examples of polysaccharides

  1. Starch. It is found in plants because it is the way they store monosaccharides. In food, they are found in:
    • Plantain
    • Dad
    • Pumpkin
    • Squash
    • Chickpeas
    • Corn
    • Turnips
  1. Glycogen. It is stored in muscles and liver to give energy. In food it is found in:
    • Flours
    • Bread
    • Rice
    • Pasta
    • Potato
    • Plantain
    • Apple
    • Orange
    • Oatmeal
    • Yogurt

Flours and Carbohydrates

  1. Cellulose. It is a structural polysaccharide, it is found in the cell wall mainly of plants, but also of other organisms. It is what in food we call “fiber”:
    • Spinach
    • Lettuce
    • Apples
    • Seeds
    • Whole grains
    • Pineapple
  1. Chitin. Similar in structure to cellulose, but with nitrogen in its molecule, which makes it more resistant. It is used as a food stabilizer.