Many people know about starch. It is a loose yellowish or white powder. Everyone remembers the school experience with blue iodine-colored potato tubers. This helps to teach children to determine the properties of starch and its degree of content in products. Let's consider this substance as a component of our daily diet.
What is starch. Products It Contains
This is a complex carbohydrate that is perfectly absorbed upon ingestion. Not as fast, of course, as sugar (which is a simple carbohydrate). But this assimilation rate is enough to reinforce the body's strength and replenish the glycogen supply in the liver. Such excellent digestibility is the cause of one of the main properties of starchy foods - leading to weight gain. It is it, and not calorie at all (which amounts to a little more than three hundred kilocalories) that the excess carbohydrates received with food are likely to turn into fat deposits.
It is because of this that many people who monitor their nutrition and figure begin to be interested in what starch is and what it contains. First of all, of course,
flour products are rich in this substance
. All cereals, legumes are starchy products. Therefore, they need to be limited to those people who are prone to fullness, as well as to diabetics and those who have problems with the pancreas. Potato starch is also easily digestible. The most useful
baked potato. In most
refined products manufactured by modern industry (such as snacks, sauces, quick breakfasts), starch can be hidden. Therefore, to take into account all the carbohydrates consumed, carefully read the composition on the package.
What is starch? The value of this substance in cooking
The viscosity of the starch solution makes it possible to use this colloid as a kind of paste. Kissels are made from it, it is added to sauces and gravy to give density. When baking cakes and pastries, part of the flour is sometimes replaced with potato or corn starch. This has a positive effect on the structure of products: biscuits become more airy and drier, absorb cream better. It is only necessary to remember that excess starch can give the product a not very pleasant taste, therefore, dough must be supplemented with milk (sour-milk products) and flavoring substances (vanilla, spices) in addition to it. Adding a small amount of starch to the cookie will help roll it out in a thinner layer and increase the softness of the product.
Application in traditional medicine
It has long been known about the antiulcer properties of starch: raw potato juice has long been used to heal the gastric mucosa. Healers have noticed its enveloping and anti-inflammatory properties. Starch also resists atherosclerosis, and the content of potassium in starchy foods has a beneficial effect on the removal of excess fluid from the body. The latter property is very important for those who suffer from kidney diseases.