ABSTRACT
Starch is the major source of calories and dietary energy in most human food systems. As the primary human metabolic substrate, starch is preferentially digested, absorbed and metabolized. Most diets worldwide have a substantial starchy component as a main or side item. For instance, potatoes are a major item in most northern European diets, rice is popular in Asian diets, maize-based foods are common in Latin America, and starchy root and tuber crops constitute a significant part of the diet in most tropical areas.
