Complex Carbohydrates and Fibre
Polysaccharides are basically glucose's way of forming gangs - thousands of glucose molecules linking together to create complex structures. Starch is probably the most important one for your diet, found in bread, pasta, and potatoes. It's made of two components: amylose (straight chains) and amylopectin (branched chains).
Dextrin gives your toast that lovely golden colour and extra flavour when heat breaks down starch molecules. Meanwhile, cellulose forms the tough structure of plant cell walls - it's incredibly strong because its glucose molecules form straight, unbranched lines.
Dietary fibre is the unsung hero of digestive health. Soluble fibre (like pectins in fruit) dissolves in water and helps soften waste, whilst insoluble fibre (found in whole wheat) adds bulk to help everything move through your system smoothly.
Pectin deserves special mention - it's what makes your jam set properly! Food manufacturers use pectin's gel-forming properties, but it needs the right balance of temperature, acidity, and sugar content to work its magic.
Did You Know: Humans can't digest cellulose, but it's still essential for keeping your digestive system running smoothly!