Does stomach digest carbohydrates?

[Deepa100]

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My TPR book says it does. My kaplan test explanation says no, it doesn't.😕

 

[capn jazz]

It doesn't. What does your TPR book say, exactly? The only things the stomach digests are proteins.

 

[DrYoda]

Meat, it digests meat.

 

[Deepa100]

TPR book says acid in stomach hydrolyzes saccharides.

 

[Vihsadas]

My first instinct is to say your book is wrong. The acid in the stomach inhibits the amylase enzymes thereby more or less suspending carbohydrate digestion in the stomach.

I mean I guess technically you could say there is a discrepancy between:

"Does the stomach make enzymes responsible for degrading carbs?"
and
"Does the stomach play a role in digesting carbs?"

The answer to the first question, technically is "yes", but for MCAT purposes, in my opinion, its "no". The stomach DOES technically produce an enzyme known as "gastric amylase" but it really has no digestive significance when compared to salivary amylase or pancreatic amylase for the reason outlined above.

The answer to the second question in my opinion, is "no". The stomach acid inhibits the carbohydrate enzymes, causing them to cease function.

If anyone has any other information to add it would be appreciated.

 

[engineeredout]

Definitely for the MCAT, the stomach does not digest carbs. You're supposed to know that salivary amylase begins the digestion in the mouth, and pancreatic amylase continues digestion (much more digestion than salivary) in the small intestine, specifically in the duodenum.