Carbohydrates for nutrition and health
Carbohydrates exist in many forms and are crucial for the proper functioning of our brain, heart, nervous system, digestion and immune system. Some carbohydrates provide energy while others are essential to keeping the metabolism and immune systems in an optimal shape. CCC projects include: ‘Fibers as prebiotics’, Quest for novel soluble dietary fibers’ and ‘Slow carbohydrates’.
Foods produced from biomass containing plant cell wall polysaccharides can contribute substantially to the intake of dietary fiber. Researchers at the Carbohydrate Competence Center (CCC) study the chemical structures of a variety of plant polysaccharides and the effects of defined polysaccharide structures on health.