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Metabolism Involved
The digestible carbohydrates, mainly starch and sugar, are broken into simpler molecules by enzymes in the saliva, in juice produced by the pancreas, and in the lining of the small intestine. Starch is digested in two steps. First, an enzyme in the saliva and pancreatic juice breaks the starch into molecules called maltose. Then an enzyme in the lining of the small intestine splits the maltose into glucose molecules that can be absorbed into the blood. Glucose is carried through the bloodstream to the liver, where it is stored or used to provide energy for the work of the body. Sugars are digested by an enzyme in the lining of the small intestine. It digests sucrose, also known as table sugar, into glucose and fructose, which are absorbed through the intestine into the blood.
Foods such as meat, eggs, and beans consist of giant molecules of protein that must be digested by enzymes before they can be used to build and repair body tissues. An enzyme in the juice of the stomach starts the digestion of swallowed protein. Then in the small intestine, several enzymes from the pancreatic juice and the lining of the intestine complete the breakdown of huge protein molecules into small molecules called amino acids. These small molecules can be absorbed through the small intestine into the blood and then be carried to all parts of the body to build the walls and other parts of cells.
Fat molecules are a rich source of energy for the body. The first step in digestion of a fat such as vegetable oil is to dissolve it into the watery content of the intestine. The bile acids produced by the liver dissolve fat into tiny droplets and allow pancreatic and intestinal enzymes to break the large fat molecules into smaller ones. Some of these small molecules are fatty acids and cholesterol. The bile acids combine with the fatty acids and cholesterol and help these molecules move into the cells of the mucosa. In these cells the small molecules are formed back into large ones, most of which pass into vessels called lymphatics near the intestine. These small vessels carry the reformed fat to the veins of the chest, and the blood carries the fat to storage depots in different parts of the body (NDDIC, April 2008).
Most of the material absorbed through the small intestine is water in which salt is dissolved. The salt and water come from the food and liquid you swallow and the juices secreted by the many digestive glands.
To determine metabolism, there are complex procedures involved. The simplest would be simply to eat a full meal when you are hungry and wait till 2 hours later. If you are still feeling full, you have lower metabolism. If you feel hungry, you’re likely to have higher metabolism (NDDIC, April 2008).
Modification
In order to have maximum health benefit, we suggest using wheat flour instead of normal flour in siew pao manufacture. Wheat flour is also known as whole grain flour. It is nutritionally superior to refined grains due to its richer in dietary fiber, antioxidants, protein, dietary minerals such as magnesium, manganese and phosphorus and vitamins including niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin E. The reason why we suggest using wheat flour is because of the high content of fibers, which is four times of refined grains. Foods rich in fibers helps lower down blood cholesterol and may protect against heart diseases and stroke. Furthermore, high-fiber foods are important in reducing the risk of type II diabetes. When soluble fibers trap nutrients and delay their transit through GI tract, glucose enters the bloodstream more slowly. This helps prevent the glucose surge and rebound that seem to be associated with diabetes onset (Whitney and Rolfes, 2002). Additionally, the higher fiber content also results in a modest caloric reduction in whole grain foods.
Acknowledgement
Jeff Chong, Marketing Manager, 012-3325233.
References