Sugars, simple or not, can be pretty complicated. A delicate balance is usually needed in their consumption for you to realize their full benefits. Dextrose is no exception to this.
So what is dextrose and is it bad for you? Dextrose is a simple sugar that’s obtained from corn and chemically resembles glucose. It has a wide range of applications, from being used as a sweetener in food products to clinical use. Keep reading to find out the truth about dextrose sugar and how it affects your health.
What Is Dextrose?
Simply put, dextrose is corn sugar manufactured from corn starch. Its applications in the food and medical industries can be attributed to a chemical structure that is similar to glucose (5). It is typically used in baked products and processed foods. It can be administered as an intravenous solution to people with high potassium levels, low blood sugar, or who need hydration. Also, it can be prescribed during post-operative care or in other situations for nutritional support, in combination with other nutrients (7).
However, dextrose has a high caloric content, the same as any other type of sugar (5). As with all foods with a high caloric content, the results may be counterproductive if you consume too much of it. Facts like these about dextrose make people ask questions such as, is dextrose bad for you? Let’s find out.
Why Is Dextrose Bad for You?
Why is dextrose bad for you? and how is dextrose bad for you? These are questions that have been asked for quite some time. So what makes dextrose a sugar that people should consume with caution? These are some reasons and possible dextrose side effects that overconsumption may bring:
Overconsumption of Dextrose May Lead to Weight Gain
Dextrose has a relatively high calorie content. Being a simple sugar, it is broken down immediately. When you consume more than is needed, the surplus is stored as fat, which leads to weight gain (13).
Risk of Developing Insulin Resistance
This condition is a result of high amounts of glucose remaining in your bloodstream for a long time. When you consume a lot of dextrose or any other sugar in excess, it may trigger increased insulin release in your body. When this happens, your cells may become resistant to the effects of insulin over time, leaving excess glucose lodged in your body (12).
Hypoglycemia Risk
For people without diabetes, excessive consumption of dextrose can lead to a baffling effect of low blood sugar. If your blood sugar rises rapidly in a short period, it triggers your pancreas to release enormous amounts of insulin. This signals your cells to use up blood sugar quickly as hyperglycemia can damage your tissues (13).
As a result of this false alarm and large intake of blood sugar by your cells, your blood sugar levels decrease rapidly, potentially causing hyperglycemia. You could then develop nausea, hunger, and dizziness as a result (13).
Hyperglycemia Risk
People with underlying conditions such as diabetes type 1 and 2 are perhaps the most exposed to this risk factor. Their inability to produce or respond appropriately to insulin makes them vulnerable to sudden significant increases in blood sugar (13).
An uncontrollable surge in blood sugar from eating too much dextrose may lead to hyperglycemia. If it is left unattended, severe hyperglycemia can cause tissue damage or death (13).
Heart Disease
Multiple studies have linked excessive sugar intake and heart disease. If you have a history of heart ailments, you should steer clear of too much dextrose to avoid the aggravation of any symptoms.
In addition, other underlying conditions such as kidney diseases and swellings in your limbs react adversely to excess dextrose (12). If you have any of these, you may want to limit dextrose and other sugars.
Of course, if you’re prescribed or administered a dextrose-containing solution by your medical team, you don’t need to worry. In those situations, it’s medically necessary that any underlying conditions are taken into account and you’re closely monitored.
What is the other side of the coin? How does dextrose perform compared to other simple sugars? For example, dextrose vs glucose, which simple sugar has more benefits? The next section explains the good side of dextrose.
Intense sweat sessions, working weight loss tips, lip-smacking recipes come in one package with the BetterMe app. And all of it is at your fingertips, start transforming your life now!
Why Is Dextrose Good for You?
When it’s taken correctly and in moderation, dextrose in food and medicine can benefit your health. These benefits include:
Increased Cellular Metabolism
The intake of dextrose will prompt your body to turn it into energy. This raises cellular metabolism, which helps you stay active (12). In addition, bodybuilders use dextrose-based supplements to give them much-needed carbs after an intense workout.
If you’re a bodybuilder and are asking if dextrose in food is bad for your bodybuilding, the answer is no. When taken in the right quantities, dextrose complements your bodybuilding.
Dextrose Provides Carbohydrate Calories
These calories are usually administered to people who can’t eat or absorb nutrients through the GI tract due to medical conditions, and therefore risk becoming malnourished. It’s given in combination with other nutrients, such as amino acids, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes to provide complete or supplemental nutrition (12).
Glycogen Can Be Used To Provide Energy
Dextrose can be stored as glycogen in the body. When there’s an energy deficit in your body, glycogen is used to provide energy (12). This helps bodily functions run in an optimal state.
Applications of dextrose don’t stop in food and medicine. You can incorporate it in exercises too. How and why? Let’s find out.
Dextrose vs Glucose: What’s the Difference?
The difference between dextrose and glucose lies in their molecular structure. Both are simple sugars, which are also known as monosaccharides, that have the same chemical formula of C6H12O6. However, they differ slightly in terms of their physical properties and uses.
Physical Properties
Dextrose is commonly known as grape sugar or corn sugar as it can be derived from grapes or corn starch. It has a molecular weight of 180.16 g/mol and exists in its natural form as a white crystalline solid with a sweet taste. Dextrose is highly soluble in water and has a melting point of 146°C (295°F) (17).
On the other hand, glucose is found naturally in fruits, honey, and some vegetables. It is also produced during photosynthesis in plants. Glucose has a molecular weight of 180.16 g/mol and exists as a white crystalline solid with a slightly sweet taste. Unlike dextrose, glucose has a melting point of 146°C (295°F) and is less soluble in water (18).
Read more: Keto and Sugar: Can You Have Them Both?
Uses
Dextrose is commonly used in the food industry as a sweetener, particularly in baking products such as cookies and cakes. It is also used as an ingredient in processed foods such as sauces, dressings, and soft drinks.
Glucose, on the other hand, has various uses in different industries. In medicine, it is commonly used as an energy source in intravenous fluids for treating patients who are unable to eat or drink. It is also used as a supplement for athletes and bodybuilders.
In the production of alcohol, glucose is converted into ethanol through fermentation. This process is used in the production of beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. Glucose is also used in the cosmetic industry as a moisturizing agent.
Health Implications
Both dextrose and glucose have similar effects on blood sugar levels when they are consumed. However, excessive consumption of either can lead to health issues such as obesity and diabetes.
Dextrose has a high glycemic index (GI), which means it raises blood sugar levels quickly after consumption. This can be beneficial for people with low blood sugar levels, but consuming too much can lead to an increase in weight and the risk of diabetes (2).
Glucose, on the other hand, has a lower GI compared to dextrose. It is metabolized more slowly by the body and provides a more sustained release of energy (18). This makes it a preferred option for athletes and people with diabetes.
We’ve compared dextrose and sugar in our Dextrose Vs Sugar article.
Dextrose and Exercise
Workouts can be quite draining, especially to your energy reserves, glycogen. Your body usually needs to replenish the lost reserves and fast. That’s why simple sugars and carbs are recommended as a post-workout recovery food. They are absorbed and utilized very quickly due to their simple structure, which helps provide much-needed energy (5).
Why dextrose? What makes it the convenient post-workout recovery option? While there are many ways to answer this, these are three obvious reasons that just about sum it all up.
Dextrose Is Easily Digested
The quickest way to replenish used-up glycogen is by taking dextrose. Dextrose is readily absorbed and stored as glycogen (14). This easily makes it one of the most convenient options out there.
Dextrose Is a Cheap, Safe, and Natural Option
Compared to other supplements, dextrose is cheap and readily available. It doesn’t come with expensive chemical-filled promises that sound too good to be true like most artificial supplements. This makes it a safe and efficient choice.
Dextrose Drives up Nutrient Uptake in Body Cells
During workouts, vital body nutrients are used to fuel the muscles. Nutrients then need to be moved around our bodies to necessitate repair and refueling. Insulin has a reputation for its many roles in your body, in this case, a transportation system for nutrients. This means that it helps nutrients move from the bloodstream to muscles to start the recovery phase (14).
This is where dextrose comes in. Dextrose is famous for causing a spike in blood sugar, which triggers insulin release. This insulin then makes sure nutrients reach their intended destination fast (14).
Timing is also a crucial aspect when it comes to the consumption of dextrose during exercise. A Colorado State University study found that taking dextrose 2 hours before working out reduces any adverse effects. To benefit from the post-workout recovery effects of dextrose, you need to consume it as soon as possible after working out (9).
Another concern is if you can take dextrose on keto. This depends on which ketogenic diet you’re on. Ideally, dextrose will remove you from ketosis if you’re on a traditional ketogenic diet.
Even in targeted and cyclical ketogenic diets, complex carbs are recommended instead of simple sugars. Remember, the primary objective of being on a keto diet is to keep your insulin levels low. Dextrose and other simple sugars will bring an inverse effect (2), so keto dextrose may be counterproductive.
Whether you’re looking to simply pep up your fitness routine, jazz up your diet with mouth-watering low-calorie recipes or want to get your act together and significantly drop that number on your scale – BetterMe app has got you covered! Improve your body and revamp your life with us!
Why Is Dextrose Used in Food?
Dextrose is an incredibly popular additive in the food industry. Manufacturers often use it as sweeteners, texturizing agents, or to extend the shelf life of a product.
Dextrose in the Bakery Industry
It is used to create balance in sweetness while influencing color and extending shelf life. It also improves quality, texture, and fermentation (5).
Dextrose in the Confectionery Industry
Dextrose can be used as ]reducing sugar, which is used to make products that contain milk protein undergo color enrichment in a process called the Maillard reaction. It also elicits a fruity flavor, providing a light cooling effect (5).
Dextrose in the Drinks Industry
When brewing low-calorie beers, fermentable dextrose is added to the wort obtained from malt. This increases the percentage of sugar that is readily available for fermentation (15). Manufacturers can then produce a low-calorie beer with regular alcohol content.
Dextrose in Dairy and Ice Cream
Dextrose provides a delicate balance in dairy products and ice cream while improving texture and increasing shelf life (15).
Dextrose in the Culinary Arts
It is added to a range of mixes such as sauces. This is because dextrose is a dispersion aid, a sweetener, and a bulking agent (15).
Dextrose in the Meat Industry
Dextrose is added in immersion curing brines for meat. It facilitates salt entry into meat tissues while enhancing color formation. It also removes the brashness of salt while improving overall flavor and regulating pH (15).
Why Is Dextrose Used in Medicine?
The properties and chemical structure of dextrose sugars give it a variety of applications in the medical industry, including:
Dextrose Can Help Treat Low Blood Sugar
A tablet or an injection of dextrose will provide quick sugar that counters low blood sugar. People with diabetes mellitus are often prescribed it for treating hypoglycemia, which can be very dangerous (2).
Treatment of Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia is a serious condition where your body exhibits high levels of potassium in the blood. A dextrose sugar solution is sometimes used for treating this condition (3).
Treatment of a Lack of Nutrition and Dehydration
A solution of dextrose, amino acids, lipids, micronutrients, and electrolytes, called total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN), is used to provide complete or supplemental nutrition. It is administered to people who can’t eat or absorb nutrients and who risk becoming malnourished. A 5% dextrose solution in water, with or without other electrolytes, can also be infused intravenously for treating dehydration (3).
Considering all the pros and cons of using dextrose, you may want to explore alternatives to dextrose sugar for your non-medical uses. How do these alternatives perform in comparison to dextrose sugars? Next, we’ll take a look at alternatives to dextrose sugars.
Read more: Types of Sugar: Exploring the Sweet, the Substitutes, and the Hidden
Are There Safer Alternatives to Dextrose?
A lot of time is spent trying to answer questions such as “how is dextrose bad for you?” and “how is it good for you?” What about its alternatives? How do they change this narrative?
Some alternatives to dextrose include:
Raw Honey
Raw honey is a natural, pure, unfiltered, and unpasteurized source of sugar for replenishing glycogen (15). It’s also readily absorbed and can be used without fear of adverse side effects.
Pectin
This is a carb that is obtained from fruits and vegetables. It can be used in food as a sweetener and as a gelling agent in medicine (15). In addition, it’s incredibly soluble and enhances digestion.
Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener that is extracted from the leaves of stevia plants. Stevia doesn’t impact blood sugar the way sugars do and may be a useful substitute for people with insulin resistance (15). If you’re wondering, “is dextrose in stevia bad for you?” the answer is yes and no.
Caution should be exercised when taking variants of stevia that contain dextrose. Dextrose adds both calories and carbs to the mixture that shouldn’t be consumed in large quantities (5). Although, due to the intense sweetness of stevia, this would be difficult to do.
FAQs
Who should avoid dextrose?
People who should avoid consuming dextrose are those with diabetes or insulin resistance. Dextrose can cause a spike in blood sugar levels, which can lead to complications for those who already have high blood sugar levels.
Here are some groups of people who should avoid or limit their intake of dextrose:
People with Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes must closely monitor their blood sugar levels. Dextrose can cause rapid spikes in blood glucose, which makes it challenging to manage the condition (13).
Individuals with Insulin Resistance: Those with insulin resistance may experience exacerbated symptoms and further complications when they consume dextrose due to its impact on blood sugar levels (13).
Obesity: People who are struggling with obesity should avoid high amounts of simple sugars, including dextrose, as this can contribute to weight gain and related health issues (13).
Those on Low-Carb or Ketogenic Diets: Dextrose is a carbohydrate that can quickly raise blood sugar levels, thereby interfering with the metabolic state of ketosis.
Allergies: While it’s rare, some individuals may have allergies to corn or wheat-derived products, including dextrose. It’s important to read labels and consult a healthcare provider.
Reactive Hypoglycemia: People with reactive hypoglycemia may experience a rapid drop in blood sugar following an initial spike, which makes it advisable to avoid dextrose (13).
Certain Medical Conditions: Individuals with specific medical conditions, such as certain types of cancers, should consult their healthcare provider before they consume dextrose, as cancer cells can thrive on glucose.
Always consult a healthcare professional before you make dietary changes, particularly if you belong to any of these groups.
In our previous blog, Effects Of Sugar On The Brain, we discussed the cons of sugar in detail.
Why do bodybuilders use dextrose?
Bodybuilders use dextrose for several key reasons, primarily related to its ability to rapidly replenish glycogen stores and enhance recovery (4). Here are the main benefits:
1. Rapid Glycogen Replenishment
- Quick Absorption: Dextrose is a simple sugar that is quickly absorbed by the body, which makes it an ideal carbohydrate source for replenishing glycogen stores that are depleted during intense workouts.
- Enhanced Muscle Recovery: By replenishing glycogen stores rapidly, dextrose helps ensure that muscles can recover and grow effectively post-exercise.
2. Insulin Spike
- Improved Nutrient Uptake: Consuming dextrose leads to a rapid spike in insulin levels. Insulin is a potent anabolic hormone that facilitates the transport of glucose and amino acids into muscle cells, promoting muscle repair and growth.
- Protein Synthesis: The insulin spike also helps enhance protein synthesis, which is essential for muscle building and recovery.
3. Convenience
- Easily Mixable: Dextrose powder can easily be mixed with water or added to post-workout shakes, providing a convenient and quick source of carbohydrates.
- Digestive Ease: It’s generally well-tolerated and less likely to cause digestive discomfort in comparison to some other carbohydrate sources.
4. Energy Boost
- Immediate Energy Source: During prolonged or high-intensity workouts, dextrose can provide an immediate source of energy, which helps sustain performance and delay fatigue.
Practical Usage
Many bodybuilders consume dextrose in their post-workout nutrition to take advantage of these benefits. Typically, dextrose is consumed alongside protein to maximize the anabolic window and ensure efficient recovery and muscle growth.
Why is dextrose added to chicken?
Dextrose is often added to chicken products for several reasons, including improved flavor, texture, and shelf life (5).
Dextrose is a simple sugar that can enhance the natural sweetness of chicken. It also helps balance out any acidic or bitter flavors that are present in marinades or sauces.
Dextrose acts as a tenderizer by breaking down the proteins in meat, which results in a more tender and juicy final product.
When dextrose is heated, it caramelizes and adds a golden-brown color to chicken, which makes it more visually appealing.
As a humectant, dextrose helps retain moisture in chicken and prevents it from drying out during cooking. This also helps extend the shelf life of chicken products.
What foods have the most dextrose?
Dextrose is found in many foods, particularly those that are processed or sweetened. Here are some common foods that contain significant amounts of dextrose:
- Doughnuts
- Candy
- Fondant
- Pre-packaged pastries and buns
- Sports and energy drinks
- Syrups
- Food colorings
- Seasoning mixes
- Cakes
- Potato chips
- Sweets
- Chewing gum
- Refined breakfast cereals
- Ready-made meals
- Ice cream
- Sauces (including BBQ and spaghetti sauce)
- Canned foods
- Pickles
- Crackers
- Fruit jams
These foods often use dextrose as a sweetener, preservative, or to improve texture. Dextrose is frequently consumed in processed items and can contribute to high blood sugar levels, so it’s wise to check nutrition labels if you’re monitoring your sugar intake.
The Bottom Line
Simple sugars are an effective way to get energy quickly. However, as with all sugars, they should be taken in moderation. Consuming them in large quantities may cause undesired effects that can affect your health negatively.
So is dextrose bad for you? Not really. However, extra care should be taken when using dextrose, particularly by those with underlying conditions. Dextrose can release large amounts of sugar into your body over a very short period.
If the sugar levels aren’t regulated, tissue damage and other complications may arise over time. However, dextrose is often used in medicine to treat serious conditions and prevent malnutrition and in those situations, it saves lives.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not serve to address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on for making any kind of decision-making. Any action taken as a direct or indirect result of the information in this article is entirely at your own risk and is your sole responsibility.
BetterMe, its content staff, and its medical advisors accept no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors, misstatements, inconsistencies, or omissions and specifically disclaim any liability, loss or risk, personal, professional or otherwise, which may be incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and/or application of any content.
You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your specific situation. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of BetterMe content. If you suspect or think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor.
SOURCES
- C Dex Applications and Benefits (n.d., cargill.com)
- Dextrose (2021, drugs.com)
- Dextrose 5% in Water (2020, drugs.com)
- Creatine-dextrose and protein-dextrose induce similar strength gains during training (2001,nih.gov)
- Dextrose in the Food Industries and Its Health Status (1939, pubmed.gov)
- Dextrose May Boost Sports performance (webmd.com)
- Everything You Need to Know About Dextrose (2018, medicalnewstoday.com)
- Frequent Urination: Symptoms & Signs (2019, medicinenet.com)
- Glucose Plus Fructose Ingestion for Post-Exercise Recovery-Greater Than The Sum Of its Parts? (2017, nih.gov)
- How the Heart Works: Sides, Chambers, and Function (2020, medicinenet.com)
- Insulin Resistance (2021, medicinenet.com)
- Is Dextrose Bad for Your Health? (2021, medicinenet.com)
- Possible Side Effects of Dextrose (2018, healthfully.com)
- Ribose versus Dextrose supplementation, association with rowing performance: a double blind study (2006, pubmed.gov)
- The Food Industry-Functional Attributes of Carbohydrates and The Use of Sugar Substitutes (2018, libretexts.org)
- What’s Dextrose and why Is *This* Sugar Maybe Sorta Good for You? (2019, greatist.com)
- Dextrose Monohydrate (2021,nih.gov)
- Physiology, Glucose (2024,nih.gov)
