Starch is found in many plant foods that people regularly eat. He began to receive back in ancient Greece and Rome. 80% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans are starchy foods. For the body, such an amount of this component is not useful. This component decomposes more easily when it enters the digestive tract, if consumed in its raw, natural form. The presence of starch can be determined at home.
The processing of starch by the body
Starch belongs to the group of polysaccharides, natural high-molecular carbohydrates. A huge number of plants contains this combined sugar in their cells. It is found in buckwheat, carrots, potatoes, plant stems, fruits and leaves. It is necessary for the normal functioning of the human body.
The study of starch content products showed a large amount of it in such commonly used ingredients as potatoes, wheat, corn, buckwheat, rice, legumes, etc.
The breakdown of raw foods with starch content begins immediately after ingestion by saliva. It turns into maltose. After it enters the intestine, it is hydrolyzed into monosaccharides. They, in turn, penetrate the intestinal walls and become phosphates, which enter the bloodstream. They eventually become glucose. The starch content of foods is an important indicator of chemical composition for those who diet and exercise.
Cooked starch has a very negative effect on humans. Scientists studying starch, claim the inability of its molecules to dissolve in water, alcohol and ether. This product has the property of clogging the blood. When exposed to hot water, starch swells. The same result is obtained when it gets inside. He requires fluid, takes it from the body. Such a paste clogs the duodenum and small intestine.
Many doctors claim that excessive consumption of foods with a high starch content causes a risk of cancer. It is most dangerous for women to abuse baking.
Proper use of starchy foods
It is impossible to completely eliminate starchy foods from the diet. They are necessary in the body to replenish its energy. You just need to control the amount of their use. For normal assimilation of products with starch content should be no more than 20% of all entering the body.
A study of products for starch content shows that, subject to certain requirements, you can protect yourself as much as possible from the negative effects.
Basic rules for the safe use of starchy foods:
- the substance is poorly absorbed together with other products;
- the best combination: starch + raw vegetable salad;
- easier to digest with sufficient intake of B vitamins;
- products containing an element are not recommended to be thermally processed.
The use of starch in the food industry
A study of starch products indicates their widespread use in food production. The substance is subjected to heat treatment. This starch is called modified. It will fill the body with excess calories. This means that such products are difficult to digest and very difficult to remove.
Products containing starch: liquor candies, confectionery cream, glaze, fillers, convenience foods, yogurts, desserts, canned food, ice cream. This also includes frozen vegetables, meat, fish, fat substitutes, drinks, semi-prepared soups, glazed nuts and others.
High Starch Foods
As we already understood, there are many of them. And sometimes the starch content in products is very high. The table below shows those items that contain the largest number. Vegetables with a high starch content are recommended to use with the addition of sour cream, butter or cream. These include: beets, radishes, sweet potatoes, potatoes and Jerusalem artichoke.
Starch fraction in products| Product name | Content in% |
| Rice flour | 79 |
| White rice | 78 |
| Whole rice | 75 |
| Spaghetti | 75 |
| Corn flakes | 74 |
| Barley flour | 72 |
| Wheat flour | 72 |
| Millet | 69 |
| Popcorn | 68 |
| Fresh bread | 66 |
| Corn | 65 |
| Corn flour | 65 |
| Noodles | 65 |
| Wholemeal Noodles | 64 |
| Oat Dishes | 61 |
| Crackers | 61 |
| Wheat | 60 |
| Wholemeal crackers | 58 |
| White bread | 48 |
| Peas | 45 |
| Rye flour bread | 45 |
| Puff pastry | 37 |
| French fries | 35 |
| Potato croquettes | 20 |
| Boiled potatoes | fourteen |
| Horseradish | 11.7 |
| Ginger | 11.2 |
| Mashed potatoes | eleven |
Low Starch Plant Food
The lowest content of this element in pepper, cabbage and fruits. We continue to consider the starch content in products. The table combines those items in which there is the smallest amount. So, which products are the least dangerous in this case?
Low Starch Foods| Name | Content in% |
| Artichoke | 0.5 |
| Mushrooms | - |
| Green pepper | 0.1 |
| Cabbage | 0.1 |
| Kohlrabi | 0.5 |
| Red pepper | - |
| Parsnip | 4 |
| Parsley | 1,2 |
| Radish | 0.3 |
| Asparagus | - |
| Pumpkin | 0.2 |
| Chicory | - |
| Garlic | 2 |
| Spinach, sorrel | 0.1 |
| Endive | - |
Checking products for starch
At home, you can conduct a study of products for starch content. For this, iodine or Lugol's solution is usually used.
It is necessary to apply a few drops on a banana slice, add to porridge, yogurt, mayonnaise or any other food. The more starch in the test object, the darker the stain. Such a small experiment will expand knowledge of the daily diet and help to understand the quality of food. In this way, you can check the same products from different manufacturers and choose the highest quality. This method is often used by housewives when checking milk, cottage cheese and honey. These products should not contain starch at all.
Products must be selected individually. It all depends on the needs and possibilities of their assimilation. Observing a special diet, it is necessary to minimize the duration of diets without carbohydrates. Their absence in the body leads to stress. Therefore, plant foods must be present in the diet, as well as carbohydrate.