Many people do not know what Dextrose is even if they consume it every day. Dextrose is present in our day to day, only that we know it by the name of glucose, a carbohydrate essential to nourish cells and make them transform said sugar into energy, which can be used instantly by the body or stored in the form of fat.
Dextrose is widely used in the kitchen as a sweetener for cakes and meals and in countless foods. If you want to know more about Dextrose: what it is, what it is for, and its contraindications, we invite you to continue reading this FastlyHealarticle.
Table of Contents
What is Dextrose?
Dextrose, better known as glucose, is the primary fuel that the body needs to carry out the function of cells to exchange sugar for energy. The Dextrose is located at:
- Much of the animal tissue
- In fruits
- In the plants
- In some medications
- The wine
- Nutritional supplements.
Dextrose is the organic compound whose chemical formula is C6H12O6 and is manufactured in the body through the breakdown of carbohydrates and specific proteins and fats. This glucose results from photosynthesis in plants and is found mainly in fruits and honey from bees. Dextrose can also be produced from scratch synthetically to be added to food products, where it is referred to as corn syrup. However, when we talk about Dextrose, we mean pure glucose.
What is Dextrose for
To understand what Dextrose is for, it is vital to explain its function in the body. Dextrose is the primary energy source for living cells in the human body. In the pancreas, it is the gland responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that helps cells absorb and use Dextrose. When there is excess Dextrose in the body, it turns into fat or is stored as glycogen. When dextrose levels are deficient, stored glycogen is used up.
Dextrose is metabolized by muscle tissue, where it is converted to adenosine triphosphate, the primary source of energy for muscles. And once you have understood this, we can explain what Dextrose is for. Given its quality to be transformed into muscle energy, many nutritional supplements contain Dextrose and are aimed at bodybuilders or athletes who want to increase muscle mass and find Dextrose a natural alternative to exercise with more energy and intensity.
When Dextrose is consumed after exercise, excessive insulin spike occurs in the body and increases in the blood and muscle tissue to better absorb proteins, essential nutrients, and amino acids. In addition to this use, Dextrose is also used as a sweetener and is part of the beer and wine-making process. It is half as sweet as a table of sugar.
Dextrose is used as a regenerative treatment for tendons, muscles, and ligaments in medicine. Among its most essential functions, its property to help recover collagen in the body stands out, so it is widely used in the repair of ligaments. Before consuming Dextrose nutritional supplements, you must consult with your doctor.
Dextrose contraindications and side effects
Dextrose used in excess can have negative health consequences. The body mustn’t experience high levels of Dextrose to avoid suffering from cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and even addiction to the substance. Long-term consumption of Dextrose by a person can also trigger diabetes, vein and artery problems, and brain damage. People with high blood sugar levels or diabetes should avoid taking Dextrose to prevent their bodies from wasting or misusing insulin.
What is the difference between glucose and Dextrose?
We often find articles or people that refer to Dextrose as a synonym for glucose or vice versa, and it should not be so. There are many molecular forms of glucose, and it is Dextrose is the most active of these and is common in plants and animal tissue. The other form of glucose is L-glucose, less common and not found in nature. Therefore, the term glucose is always used to refer to the activity of Dextrose.
Foods with Dextrose
Many foods have Dextrose as an additive, some of the processed foods that contain Dextrose as an additive are:
- Built-in.
- Salsas.
- Syrups
- Honey.
- Cakes.
- Cookies.
- Precooked products.
Some of the natural products with Dextrose are:
- Dried apricots
- Dried plums.
- Cranberry juice
- Dates
- Granada juice.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.