Nicus
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

​​​The Nutrition Information Centr​e ​​of the 
University of Stellenbosch​ (NICUS)

Nutrients

Carbohydrates

 It is the body's primary source of energy and is mainly found in plant based foods.

  • The brain is highly dependent on a regular, predictable supply of glucose.
  • The building blocks of carbohydrate are called sugars or simple sugars i.e. glucose, fructose and galactose
Carbohydrate:  Simple sugar:
Sucrose (table sugar) = glucose + fructose
Maltose (malt sugar) = glucose + glucose
Lactose (milk sugar) = glucose + galactose
  • Simple sugars link together to form large complex carbohydrates which are present in food i.e. sucrose, maltose and lactose.
    • In plants carbohydrates are stored as starch
    • In animals carbohydrates are stored as glycogen