Saccharides

Saccharides, or carbohydrates, chemical compounds composed of simple sugar or sugars in combination, including table sugar, starch, and cellulose. Saccharides, fats, and proteins are the 3 main classes of food. Monosaccharides, including glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), are sugars that cannot be further digested to yield simpler sugar molecules. Disaccharides, including sucrose or table sugar (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁), are composed of 2 linked monosaccharide molecules. Polysaccharides, including starch and cellulose, are complex molecules consisting of many linked monosaccharides.