Foods That Cause Disease, But Have Become Domesticated Part VIII

Raffinose and Stachyose Oligosaccharides (Legumes, Vegetables, and Grains):  

·         Are units of simple forms of carbohydrates linked together, which are resistant, due to our enzymes being unable to break the carbohydrates into a form that can be absorbed. Let me get a little scientific here, for the learners who might be interested in terms of why are own enzymes are not able to break these oligosaccharides down. Well, the complex bonding of these carbohydrates contain beta glycosidic linkages which are resistant to human enzyme activity. Furthermore, our own enzymes are not able to breakdown carbohydrates that contain more than three monomers of monosaccharides units linked together. Instead these carbohydrates enter the colon, our bacteria can ferment the carbohydrates and produce gases. This tends to cause abdominal discomfort to some individuals and others not so much. Potentially, this has to do with your varying type of gut flora. If you experience any abdominal discomfort, and or dealing with malabsorption syndromes, your best bet is to stay away from foods that contain forms of these carbohydrates. Another option is to supplement with digestive enzymes.