Starch and Sucrose intolerance

Starch and sucrose are both carbohydrates and are often found in large quantities in our diet. Some people find them difficult to digest and may experience unpleasant intestinal symptoms. You can read more about an intolerance to sucrose or starch below or do the intolerance test.

What is starch and sucrose intolerance?

Starch and sucrose are both carbohydrates and are often found in large quantities in our diets. Sucrose is a disaccharide made up of two linked carbohydrate molecules: glucose and fructose. Starch consists of long chains of linked carbohydrate molecules. In the small intestine, starch and sucrose are broken down with the help of enzymes in order to be properly absorbed into the blood.

If these enzymes are missing or only present to a limited extent, sucrose and starch cannot be absorbed in the small intestine. Both substances then end up in the large intestine where fermentation takes place by the intestinal bacteria found there. The fermentation process often releases gas and attracts moisture which can cause intestinal problems.

Which foods are high in sucrose and starch?

Both sucrose and starch are found in many foods. For example, sucrose is found in fruit and table sugar, while starch is found in all grain products and potatoes. Examples of foods that contain (a lot of) sucrose or starch are:

Table sugar
Fruits, such as apples, bananas, mangoes, pears, orange, and watermelons
Vegetables, such as corn, beetroot, carrot, sweet potato, carrot, and onion
Bread
Rice, pasta, and other pasta
Processed foods, such as cookies, sweets, and sauces.

Sucrose is added to a huge amount of processed foods. It is usually listed on the label in the nutrition facts table as “carbohydrates, of which sugars”.