Dextrose: Effects, Uses & Risks

Dextrose, also known as glucose, is considered par excellence a fast-acting carbohydrate. It immediately enters the blood and is converted into energy vital to the body.

What is glucose?

Dextrose, also known as glucose, is considered par excellence to be a fast-acting carbohydrate. Dextrose is an energy supplier from nature, which immediately passes into the bloodstream. To this day, it lives up to its name as an instant energy source and has already helped almost every final exam candidate to increase concentration. It is contained in almost every fruit, especially in natural bee honey. Almost like a stimulant, it stimulates the brain immediately after ingestion, as it causes the vital blood sugar level to rise immediately when performance drops and ensures better concentration and blood flow to the brain with oxygen. Since an apple is not always at hand, dextrose can be produced industrially nowadays, so that quite uncomplicated to this small miracle cure can be reached.

Pharmacological effect

In order for the body to get energy, it converts all the food consumed with food and splits off the glucose contained in it, which is converted with the help of the hormone insulin. Insulin is the key to the further processing of glucose, which, like a kind of combustion engine, provides significant functions such as body heat or muscle building. Glucose plays a major role, especially in high-performance sports, because it supports the organism with muscle power and thus ensures a smooth process between brain and tissue. Whereas in the past it was assumed that fat was the most elementary energy supplier for the cells, we have long known about the complex interplay between power and consumption. Energy from glucose converted into carbohydrates alone enables the human body to generate muscular strength, keep body heat constant and keep the brain nutrient-supplied. Ultimately, the brain’s nerve cells could not do their job without glucose. So it is not surprising that this “fuel” is as important as gasoline for a car engine. Also this cannot carry out its service without engine power despite still so well filled oil filter.

Medical application and use

Like a natural doping, glucose has healing powers on the human body. In a healthy organism, it provides an intermediary function between the intestines and the bloodstream. Thus, sugar from food is continuously stored in the intestinal walls and liver and released back into the blood as needed. Depending on when the body needs an additional energy boost. The liver and intestinal mucosa provide an essential exchange and flow between the cells with the messenger substance glucose as an energy carrier and its function of a biochemical supplier. Since glucose itself binds water in itself, it also serves in medicine as a support against an imbalance in the natural water balance, such as in diarrheal diseases. In the event of illness, glucose can be administered to restore balance to a disturbed electrolyte balance, for example, if the ratio of salts to nutrients is out of whack. In this case, glucose acts like a cleaning tablet for the dishwasher, when instead of sparkling plates, only glassy porcelain is revealed. Even the most expensive dishwashing detergent cannot deliver clean dishes here if the base is not right. Just as in the body glucose stands as the basis for the function of the organs.

Risks and side effects

But even though glucose stands as an energy provider for the brain and organs, it can be both a helper and a devil for some people. A diabetic whose natural glucose-insulin ratio is disturbed should always carry glucose. In him, the exchange between the liver and the cells is deactivated, so that when there is an undersupply of sugar, there is no automatic secretion from the liver. And for people with glucose intolerance, an artificial substitute must be used to avoid undesirable side effects. Fortunately, today’s nutritional science offers sufficient accompanying approaches here, so that a life without restrictions is also possible for ill or glucose-intolerant persons. Thus, even the saying “but that’s sweet” takes on a whole new, more profound meaning at second glance.