NAFC Nutrition Coach Practice Exam

The digestion of carbohydrates begins in the mouth. When food enters the mouth, it is mixed with saliva, which contains an enzyme called salivary amylase. This enzyme initiates the breakdown of starches into simpler sugars. Through chewing and mixing with saliva, carbohydrates are partially digested before they move further along the digestive tract. This enzymatic action is crucial as it marks the first step in the digestive process for carbohydrates.

The stomach, small intestine, and colon each play roles in the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, but the initial enzymatic breakdown specifically commences in the mouth, making it the correct point to indicate where carbohydrate digestion starts.