Originally Posted by Umberto
Im not really sure the difference between the two,
but i know that sugar (sucrose) and splenda (sucralose) differ on the molecular level by the placement of one hydroxyl group.
They have the same molecular formula though.
These carbohydrate are basically two carbon rings attached. One has the hyroxyl group (OH bonded to the carbon) facing up (beta) and one has it facing down (alpha).
This very minor change creates a molecule that we dont have an enzyme to break down, but it still registers as a sweet taste on our taste receptors.
Since we cant break it down it is not absorbed by the body and excreted. It actually cost calories to excrete it so you burn fat insted of gaining it.
Usually carbs are broken down to glucose, mannose, galactose, and enter into glycolysis and then the TCA cycle.