During carbohydrate digestion, what do starches convert into?

Starches are complex carbohydrates that undergo digestion primarily in the mouth and small intestine. During this process, enzymes such as amylase break down starches into smaller carbohydrate units. The digestion of starches does not yield monosaccharides directly; instead, it produces intermediate products like alpha-dextrins, maltose, and maltotriose.

Alpha-dextrins are branched oligosaccharides that result from the action of amylase on starches. Maltose is a disaccharide composed of two glucose units, while maltotriose consists of three glucose molecules linked together. The presence of these intermediate products is crucial as they continue to be broken down by specific enzymes, ultimately leading to the formation of monosaccharides, such as glucose.

Thus, recognizing that starches are broken down into these intermediate products before reaching the final monosaccharide stage provides a clear understanding of the carbohydrate digestion process. This intricate breakdown highlights the complexity of carbohydrate metabolism and the various enzymes involved in facilitating digestion.