Glucose, a kind of sugar, also known by several other names viz. dextrose, grape sugar, and D-glucose, is one of the vital sources of carbohydrates, which helps in providing energy to the human body. Glucose is one of the vital ingredients of almost all types of energy drinks. Maintaining adequate level of glucose in the human body is quite essential with regard to boosting the energy level and keeping an individual away from several diseases. Both low and high glucose level can be risky for the health.
It is very important for the bloodstream of the human body to have appropriate glucose level in order to prevent the development of diabetes. Higher level of glucose can result in diabetes, whereas lower level of glucose may make a person feel tired and less energetic. Glucose can either be consumed in the form of tablet, or in the form of a drink. When consumed as a drink, the glucose powder is mixed with water or some fruit juice. Glucose is colorless and gets easily dissolved in water and juices.
The word “glucose” has been derived from a Greek term “glukus”, which means “sweet”. “Ose” the suffix, represents sugar.
Function of Glucose or Dextrose in Human Body
The tendency of dextrose with respect to reacting to several protein based amino groups in the human body is quite low, as compared to other kinds of sugars. In case of higher reactive tendency, the functioning of various enzymes is destroyed. However, this is not the case with glucose, as it has a lower reactive tendency. As a result, the risk of being affected by health related disorders like blindness, improper functioning of the brain, and renal failure is also reduced. Further, glucose helps in providing energy to the human body, primarily the brain. The psychological processes like effective decision making and self control are impaired if the there is low level of glucose in the human body.
The starch and sugar present in carbohydrate rich foods are natural sources of glucose. Most of the carbohydrate rich foods like pasta, rice, potatoes, and grains are rich in carbohydrates, and should be included in the diet to provide adequate energy to the human body. The starch and sugar in these foods are digested in the form of glucose, which is absorbed into bloodstream through small intestine. Thereafter, glucose meets a chemical called insulin, in the human body, with both of them entering together in the brain and muscles, thereby helping to improve the functioning of the brain in terms of improving the memory power.
Commercial Production
The commercial production of glucose or d-glucose is carried out by way of enzymatic hydrolysis of starch. Various kinds of crops like rice, maize, wheat, corn husk, sago, and cassava can be used as the sources of starch. Cornstarch (through maize) is mainly used in the production of glucose in the United States. Most of the commercially available types of glucose are available in the form of invert sugar, implying a mixture of fructose and glucose in 1:1 ratio. Though, principally speaking, cellulose should be hydrolyzed in the form of glucose, however, this process is not practiced commercially.
D-Glucose Disadvantages
It is essentially significant to maintain appropriate level of glucose or grape sugar in the human body, so as to maintain the health of both endocrine and digestive system. In case, the level of glucose goes down, the human body makes use of naturally stored extra glucose in liver in the form of glycogen. At times, the glucose level in the human body goes high, which can be regulated by way of making few dietary changes. However, still at times, there may be problems in maintaining the adequate level of glucose. The disadvantages associated with both low and high level of glucose in the human body have been discussed as under:
Glucose Benefits
A couple of noteworthy benefits associated with respect to consuming glucose in the form of drink or tablets have been discussed as under: