Question

Is ethanol a carbohydrate? Explain.

Answer 1

It sort of depends on the usage of the word "carbohydrate". The word can mean slightly different things depending on if it is used by a nutritionist, a chef, or a chemist. In the two definitions below
(the first from an online American Heritage Dictionary and the second from a medical dictionary), ethanol does not meet the first but does meet the second definition of carbohydrate.

The second definition includes the phrase: Carbohydrates can also be defined chemically as neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

Ethanol is a neutral compound of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

So, the answer is, yes, ethanol can be considered a carbohydrate, and no, it will not be included in many uses of the term.



car·bo·hy·drate

Any of a group of organic compounds that includes sugars, starches, celluloses, and gums and serves as a major energy source in the diet of animals. These compounds are produced by photosynthetic plants and contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, usually in the ratio 1:2:1.

Carbohydrate: Mainly sugars and starches, together constituting one of the three principal types of nutrients used as energy sources (calories) by the body. Carbohydrates can also be defined chemically as neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.