How is carbohydrates digested in the alimentary canal?

The digestion of carbohydrates begins in the mouth, where salivary amylase breaks down starches into smaller molecules. Once the food reaches the stomach, the acidic environment inactivates salivary amylase and stops further digestion of carbohydrates.

In the small intestine, pancreatic amylase continues the breakdown of starches into disaccharides such as maltose, sucrose, and lactose. These disaccharides are then further broken down by specific enzymes, such as maltase, sucrase, and lactase, into monosaccharides such as glucose, fructose, and galactose.

The monosaccharides are then absorbed through the walls of the small intestine and transported to the liver. The liver converts some of the monosaccharides into glycogen for storage, and the rest are released into the bloodstream to be used for energy or stored as fat.

If any undigested carbohydrates reach the large intestine, they may be fermented by bacteria, producing gases such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane. This fermentation process can lead to bloating, gas, and discomfort.