CARBOHYDRATES (PART lll)

• Carbohydrate Contribution of Cassava to Medicinal Properties:

  • Starch as energy source
  • Starch for gut health
  • Bulking agent for diarrhea
• Starch as an energy source - found in cassava that provides readily available energy, which can be beneficial during illness or recovery.
• Starch for gut health - found in cassava that can act as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria and promoting gut health. A healthy gut microbiome is linked to a stronger immune system and overall well-being.
• Bulking agent for diarrhea - As mentioned earlier, the bulking effect of starch in the digestive tract may help alleviate diarrhea by promoting firmer stools.
• Solanum tuberosum - scientific name of Potatoes
• Potatoes - Solanum tuberosum, are primarily composed of carbohydrates, with starch being the most abundant type.
• Traditional Uses of potatoes:

  • Poultice to soothe inflammation and relieve pain (e.g., arthrities, headache)
  • Consumed to aid digestion and reduce stomach ulcers
• starch - the high content of this in potatoes translates to sustained energy and feelings of fullness, potentially beneficial for managing digestive issues.
• Fiber (pectin) potatoes also contain a soluble properties, which can contribute to gut health and digestion.
• fluctuations - some studies suggest that potatoes can cause this in blood sugar due to their glycemic index (GI).
• Oryza sativa - scientific name of rice
• Rice - Oryza sativa, is primarily composed of carbohydrates, with starch being the most abundant type.
• 80% - Starch makes up almost how many percent of rice's dry weight.
• There are two main types of starch in rice:

  • amylose
  • amylopectin
• Amylose - This starch is less branched and has a lower digestibility rate, leading to a slower rise in blood sugar levels.
• Amylopectin - This starch is highly branched and more easily digested, providing readily available energy.
• Basmati rice - it is high in amylose,

  glutinous rice - is low in amylose.
• Traditional Medicinal Uses Of Rice;

  • diarrhea and dysentery
  • Digestive disorders
  • Skin conditions
• Rice water - made by boiling rice in water and discarding the solids, has been used as a rehydration remedy due to its bland taste and easily digestible starch content (Diarrhea and dysentery)
• Digestive disorders - Rice is a common food for people with digestive problems because it is typically well-tolerated and provides gentle nourishment.
• Rice bran - the outer layer of the rice grain, has been used topically to soothe irritated skin.
• Carbohydrates and Medicinal Properties of Rice:

  The high starch content in rice makes it a valuable source of energy. Easily digestible starches like amylopectin provide readily available energy, while less digestible starches like amylose may offer sustained energy and potentially help regulate blood sugar levels.

  However, it's important to note that the evidence for these traditional medicinal uses is often anecdotal. More scientific research is needed to validate the effectiveness of rice for specific health conditions.
• Ipomea batatas - scientific name of sweet potatoes
• Sweet potatoes, Ipomea batatas, are rich in complex carbohydrates, primarily in the form of Starch and dietary fiber.
• Starch -This makes up the largest portion of carbs in sweet potato, with amylose and amylopectin being the two main types. Amylose is slowly digested, leading to sustained energy release
• Dietary fiber: Sweet potatoes also contain a good amount of this, which contributes to gut health and digestion.
• Traditional Uses Of Sweet potatoes:

  • digestive issues - Sweet potato is believed to soothe digestive problems like diarrhea and constipation due to its fiber content.
  • stomach ulcers
  • wound healing
• mucilage - The content of this in sweet potato is thought to have gastroprotective effects and aid in healing stomach ulcers. However, more research is needed to validate this claim.
• beta-carotene - The high content of this in sweet potato is converted to vitamin A in the body, which plays a vital role in skin health and tissue repair. This is linked to the traditional use of sweet potato in wound healing practices.
• The complex carbohydrates present in sweet potato contribute to its potential health benefits in several ways:

  • Blood sugar management: The combination of fiber and complex carbohydrates in sweet potato helps regulate blood sugar levels, making it a potentially beneficial food for people with diabetes.
  • Gut health: Dietary fiber in sweet potato promotes gut health by aiding digestion and nourishing gut bacteria.
  • Energy source: Starches in sweet potato provide a sustained source of energy due to the slow digestion of amylose.
• Triticum aestivum - scientific name of wheat
• Wheat— Triticum aestivum, is a staple grain primarily cultivated for its edible seeds. However, throughout history, various parts of the wheat plant have been used for medicinal purposes in different cultures.
• Starch - a complex polysaccharide, is the most abundant carbohydrate in wheat, accounting for around 60-70% of its dry weight.
• Wheat starch is further classified into amylose and amylopectin.
• Amylose is a linear, less branched molecule, while amylopectin is a highly branched structure.
• wheat also contains minor amounts of non-starch polysaccharides like cellulose, hemicellulose, and beta-glucans. These fibers play a role in gut health and digestion.
• Traditional Medicinal Uses of Wheat:

  • Soothing digestive tissue
  • wound healing
  • respiratory ailments
• Wheat bran - rich in insoluble fiber, was used to alleviate constipation.

  wheat germ - with soluble fiber, was used for diarrhea.
• wheat flour - made Poultices were believed to aid wound healing and reduce inflammation.
• Wheatgrass juice - was used in some cultures to treat coughs and bronchitis, although scientific evidence for this use is lacking.