
Precautions
The term dextrose is used when glucose is produced from corn. Being that it is biochemically identical to glucose, it’s sometimes used medically to raise a person’s blood sugar levels when they are too low. Is dextrose healthier than sugar? Well, it’s a simple sugar that’s often used to sweeten packaged and processed foods.
What is dextrose and what is it used for?
Dextrose, also known as glucose, is a carbohydrate (specifically a simple sugar) that plays a central role in providing energy to your cells. Through a series of reactions, your body breaks down dextrose into smaller molecules, releasing energy that your cells require to function.
What does dextrose do to your body?
What is the best tasting sugar substitute?
- Coconut sugar.
- Honey.
- Monk fruit extracts (brand names: Nectresse, PureLo)
- Date paste.
- Maple syrup.
- Stevia extracts (brand names: Pure Via, Truvia, SweetLeaf)
- Sucralose (brand name: Splenda) Type: Artificial sweetener.
- Xylitol (brand names: XyloSweet, Ideal, PolySweet) Type: Sugar alcohol.
Why use dextrose instead of sugar?
What is the best natural sugar for diabetics?
- Stevia. Share on Pinterest Stevia is a popular alternative to sugar.
- Tagatose. Tagatose is a form of fructose that is around 90 percent sweeter than sucrose.
- Sucralose.
- Aspartame.
- Acesulfame potassium.
- Saccharin.
- Neotame.
Why is dextrose use instead of glucose?

When should I use dextrose?
Dextrose injection is a sterile solution used to provide your body with extra water and carbohydrates (calories from sugar). It is used when a patient is not able to drink enough liquids or when additional fluids are needed.
What are the benefits of dextrose?
Doctors use dextrose to treat many conditions, including dehydration and low blood sugar. Dextrose is an effective treatment for low blood sugar. It is low cost and widely available, making it an excellent choice for people who tend to experience episodes of low blood sugar.
Is dextrose healthier than sugar?
For people keen to avoid fructose – the type of sugar that makes up 50 per cent of cane sugar – dextrose is often promoted as healthier. Also known as glucose, dextrose is what's left when you remove fructose from cane sugar.
What is dextrose used for in an emergency?
Dextrose (antidote) is used for acute alcohol intoxication, sulfonylurea overdose, insulin overdose, high blood potassium (hyperkalemia), and insulin induced hypoglycemia in pediatric patients. Dextrose (antidote) is available under the following different brand names: N/A.
What is the difference between sugar and dextrose?
Dextrose and sugar are both sugar. “Sugar” is a general term while dextrose is a specific type of sugar. There are different types of sugar such as monosaccharide, disaccharide, and polysaccharide. Examples of monosaccharides are: glucose (dextrose), galactose, and fructose.
Does dextrose raise blood pressure?
Similarly, several studies have also demonstrated that dextrose infusion [18,20-22] results in increased blood pressure and impaired endothelial function; however; the deleterious vascular effects seen with dextrose infusion are related to the rise in blood glucose concentration [29-31].
Can diabetics eat dextrose?
Diabetes: People battling any type of diabetes should watch their dextrose intake. Dextrose may increase blood sugar levels and cause more problems. With a glycemic index of 100, dextrose is not safe for diabetics to use.
What is another name for dextrose?
Also known as dextrose, glucose is a simple sugar that is the body's main source of energy. An alternative name for glucose is dextrose, a name which derives from the term dextrorotatory.
Is dextrose the same as corn syrup?
Glucose is a syrup, most often sourced from hydrolyzed corn in the United States and is often called corn syrup. Dextrose, on the other hand, is a powder, purer and sweeter.
What dextrose is used for dehydration?
Dextrose 5% in water is injected into a vein through an IV to replace lost fluids and provide carbohydrates to the body. Dextrose 5% in water is used to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), insulin shock, or dehydration (fluid loss).
Does dextrose increase heart rate?
The heart rate reduced significantly following the addition of 5%, 10%, and 50% dextrose solutions and the reduction was proportional to the concentration of glucose in the solutions. This might be due direct effect of glucose on the intrinsic heart rate.
How do hospitals treat low blood sugar?
It's important to contact a doctor for emergency medical treatment immediately after receiving a glucagon injection.Feed the person a fast-acting source of sugar (regular soft drink or fruit juice).Then, have them eat a long-acting source of sugar (crackers and cheese or a sandwich with meat).
Why is dextrose used in food?
Dextrose is also used to provide carbohydrate calories to a person who cannot eat because of illness, trauma, or other medical condition. It is sometimes given to people who are sick from drinking too much alcohol. Dextrose may also be used to treat hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in your blood).
What is dextrose made of?
Dextrose is a simple sugar made from starch. Starch is a naturally occurring complex carbohydrate found in many plants, including corn, wheat, rice, and potato. The most common source of dextrose is corn starch. Dextrose is also known as D-glucose. Glucose is a source of energy, and all the cells and organs in your body need glucose ...
What are the side effects of dextrose?
confusion; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; fever; swelling in your hands or feet; or. sweating, pale skin, severe shortness of breath, chest pain. Common side effects of a Dextrose injection may include: pain or tenderness where an injection was given; or. flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling) for several minutes ...
Can you swallow dextrose gel?
The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it. If you take Dextrose gel in a pre-measured tube, be sure to swallow the entire contents of the tube to get a full dose.
Can you give dextrose injections to a muscle?
Seek medical attention if you still have hypoglycemia symptoms after taking two doses. Dextrose injection is given through an IV into a vein. Do not inject this medicine into a muscle or under the skin. The injection should be given only as an intravenous (IV) injection and should be given slowly.
Can you take dextrose if you are allergic to corn?
You should not take Dextrose tablets, liquid, or gel if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in these forms of the medicine, or are allergic to corn products.
Does dextrose expire?
Check the expiration date on your medicine label each time you use this medicine. If the medicine has been stored for a long time, the expiration date may have passed and the Dextrose may not work as well.
What is dextrose used for?
It’s used in baking products as a sweetener and even added to medicinal solutions to improve low blood sugar levels.
Why is dextrose used in medicine?
Being that it is biochemically identical to glucose, it’s sometimes used medically to raise a person’s blood sugar levels when they are too low.
Why is dextrose not a good food?
There are plenty of foods containing dextrose that should be avoided because they supply little to no nutritional value and can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels. Basically, foods that are processed and contain refined sweeteners should not be part of your diet.
What is simple sugar used for?
The simple sugar is used in some medical solutions to raise blood sugar levels, treat dehydration and provide nutrition to patients unable to absorb macronutrients. You can find it in many forms, including as tablets, gels and dextrose powder.
Why do athletes use dextrose?
Some athletes or bodybuilders use dextrose as a nutritional supplement because it’s high in calories but easy to break down for energy. Those looking to gain weight and increase muscle may find dextrose tablets or gels helpful. Looking at dextrose vs. maltodextrin, both sugars supply the body with energy and can be broken down quickly. You may find that dextrose is less expensive and has a sweeter taste. There are some dangers to consuming maltodextrin, so using natural sweeteners, like stevia, is a better option.
Does dextrose raise blood sugar?
Dextrose is water-soluble and dissolves quickly. This is one reason why it’s often used to raise blood sugar levels.
Is dextrose better than maltodextrin?
You may find that dextrose is less expensive and has a sweeter taste. There are some dangers to consum ing maltodextrin, so using natural sweeteners, like stevia, is a better option.
What is dextrose injection?
Basically, dextrose tablets are kind of like sugar pills. For people who are unable to drink enough fluids or eat, a doctor may provide a dextrose injection, which supplies the body with extra water and carbs, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What is dextrose made of?
Dextrose is a common type of added sugar that's made when corn is broken down with acids or enzymes before it's crystallized, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Simply put, dextrose is sugar derived from corn and it is chemically identical to glucose, or blood sugar.
Why is dextrose added to doughnuts?
When it comes to food, dextrose is often added to doughnuts or candies because it stays dry and non-greasy, according to Chemistry LibreTexts. You may spot dextrose in: Even popular health foods like yogurt or granola can contain high levels of added sugar.
Does dextrose help with low blood sugar?
But dextrose is also used in a medical setting to help handle hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), according to Harvard Health Publishing. Considering dextrose is a form of carbohydrates, your doctor may prescribe dextrose tablets as a way to raise blood sugar levels. Basically, dextrose tablets are kind of like sugar pills.
Can dextrose be taken with diabetes?
For people living with diabetes or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), this can be problematic, which is why you don't want to take dextrose without your doctor's recommendation.
Is dextrose a natural product?
Dextrose is a sugar extracted from corn starch. Although dextrose is derived from plants and is considered a "natural" product, that doesn't mean you can eat or use it with abandon. While dextrose isn't directly harmful to your health, understanding the long-term effects of added sugar can help you get a better handle on your intake.
Is dextrose a preservative?
In the food industry, dextrose, often in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, is used as a preservative and sweetener, as it's able to stay dry and slows down the crystallization process in syrups, fondant and candy, according to Chemistry LibreTexts. Advertisement. But dextrose is also used in a medical setting to help handle hypoglycemia ...
What happens when you take dextrose?
Again, in science geek terms, here’s what happens: When dextrose is injected, it feeds your body’s cells with glucose. But this also delivers a dose of potassium (kinda like a BOGO offer) that helps lower your blood potassium levels. In just one shot, your condition improves without you becoming hypoglycemic.
Is sugar good for you?
Too much of a good thing. So, simple sugars can convert to quick energy for your body: good. Eating too much (um, a dozen brownies): not good. Your body uses what it needs for energy and stores the rest as fat.
Is dextrose candy safe?
Don’t neglect to tell your doctor if you have health problems such as bleeding in your brain or spine, severe dehydration, or difficulty peeing. Dextrose isn’t a good fit with all these issues and may endanger your life. Don’t offer it to children. Or during Halloween. Dextrose is NOT candy.
Can dextrose cause diabetes?
Dextrose and diabetes. If you have diabetes and you’ve been skipping meals or exercising more than usual, your blood sugar levels may drop . In mild cases, you can follow your normal plan of action. But more significant blood sugar drops are dangerous and can land you in the hospital. Enter: dextrose.
Is dextrose a simple sugar?
Glucose, dextrose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, maltose… sugars may seem complicated, but sometimes they’ re simple — literally. Dextrose is what’s dubbed a “simple sugar” and is made from corn (plus sometimes other veggies). Like other sugars, it’s used in food, most commonly baked goods. But it’s also used in medicine, ...
Can dextrose save your life?
Dextrose, for one, can potentially save your life. Here’s the sugary scoop on dextrose: what it is, how it’s used, side effects, and why you should take note — especially if you’re living with diabetes.
Does dextrose help with hypoglycemia?
In just one shot, your condition improves without you becoming hypoglycemic. It’s also given intravenously to dialysis patients to prevent hyperkalemia. When it comes to treating hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, dextrose comes up top compared to its sugary counterparts, like glucagon.
Why do doctors use dextrose?
Doctors use dextrose for a variety of reasons, including : to quickly treat low blood sugar. to treat dehydration. to provide nutrition in combination with amino acids and other substances.
Why do people take dextrose?
Doctors may recommend that a person with diabetes or who is otherwise prone to episodes of low blood sugar carries dextrose tablets with them . These tablets dissolve quickly when in a person’s mouth, allowing the body to absorb the dextrose.
Why do bodybuilders add dextrose to water?
Many bodybuilders add dextrose tablets or powder to water and drink it following a workout to replenish those glycogen stores as quickly as possible to help with muscle repair . During the muscle repair process, muscles increase in strength and size, both essential outcomes for bodybuilders.
What is dextrose made of?
What is dextrose? Dextrose is similar to fructose and glucose. Dextrose is a type of simple sugar made from corn. It is similar to fructose and chemically identical to glucose, which is blood sugar. Simple sugars, including dextrose, fructose, and glucose, appear in foods such as table sugar, honey, and bread. ...
Why is dextrose added to food?
Because of its wide availability, packaged food also commonly contains dextrose. Aside from sweetening food, dextrose may also help neutralize food that is otherwise very spicy or salty. Also, some companies add dextrose to certain products to extend their shelf life.
Can dextrose be taken with blood sugar?
These tablets dissolve quickly when in a person’s mouth, allowing the body to absorb the dextrose. Once a person with low blood sugar takes a dextrose tablet, their blood sugar will rapidly return to healthy levels. Doctors can also combine dextrose with many other liquids to make an intravenous solution.
Can dextrose be used as a sweetener?
Dextrose often appears in foods as an artificial sweetener and ingredients such as fructose corn syrup. Doctors may use this simple sugar to raise a person’s blood sugar when it is too low. They may also combine dextrose with other substances if giving it as an injection.
What is the purpose of dextrose in food?
Dextrose is often used as a sweetener or preservative, or to neutralize food that is too spicy or salty.
Why is dextrose used in baking?
Dextrose is often used as a sweetener in baked products because it helps them brown more easily. It’s also used in wine because it improves the fermentation process.
Why do people take dextrose after exercise?
Because dextrose is very similar to glucose, it’s quickly digested and replenishes energy in a short time. That is why bodybuilders often use dextrose supplements after intense exercise. Dextrose can also help with fatigue caused by mental exertion.
Why should diabetics not eat dextrose?
People with diabetes should avoid eating dextrose because it leads to a rapid increase in blood sugar which can cause several complications. . Kidney disease. Your kidneys filter sugars out of your urine. Eating dextrose causes your blood sugar level to rise.
How is dextrose administered?
Dextrose is usually administered either intravenously (through a vein) or orally. Doctors use dextrose to treat low blood sugar and dehydration, as well as to provide nutrition. . Doctors may recommend that people with diabetes carry dextrose tablets that dissolve in the mouth.
Is dextrose a preservative?
Dextrose is often used in foods as an artificial sweetener or a preservative. Dextrose can have health benefits or negative effects on your health. You should be careful about your dextrose consumption if you have certain health conditions.
Is dextrose a sugar?
Dextrose in Medicine. Dextrose is a type of sugar that is very similar to blood sugar. Dextrose, which is often used in processed and prepackaged foods, can have certain health benefits but it’s also associated with several potential negative symptoms.

Benefits
This product is used to treat low blood sugar levels.
May Treat: Hypoglycemic disorder
Brand Names: Glutose-5 · BD Glucose · Dex4 Glucose · Dex4 Glucose Bits · Gluco Burst and more
Drug Class: Agents to treat Hypoglycemia (Hyperglycemics) · Nutritional Product - Carbohydrates, Oral · Ophthalmic - Hyperosmolar Agents
Availability: Prescription sometimes needed
Effects
Uses
Definition
Administration
- Dextrose is used to make several intravenous (IV) preparations or mixtures, which are available only at a hospital or medical facility. Each dextrose concentration has its own unique uses. Higher concentrations are typically used as rescue doses when someone has a very low blood sugar reading. Dextrose is used in various concentrations for different purposes. For example, a docto…
Treatment
- Dextrose is a carbohydrate, which is one part of nutrition in a normal diet. Solutions containing dextrose provide calories and may be given intravenously in combination with amino acids and fats. This is called total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and is used to provide nutrition to those who cannot absorb or get carbohydrates, amino acids, and fats through their gut.
Contraindications
- High-concentration dextrose injections are only given by professionals. These injections are administered to people whose blood sugar may be very low and who cannot swallow dextrose tablets, foods, or drinks.
Prevention
- If a persons potassium levels are too high (hyperkalemia), sometimes doctors also give dextrose injections of 50 percent, followed by insulin intravenously. This may be done in the hospital setting. When the cells take in the extra glucose, they also take in potassium. This helps to lowe…
Diagnosis
- People with diabetes or hypoglycemia (chronically low blood sugar) may carry dextrose gel or tablets in case their blood sugar gets too low. The gel or tablets dissolve in a persons mouth and quickly boost blood sugar levels. If a persons blood sugar is less than 70 mg/dL and they are having low blood sugar symptoms, they may need to take the dextrose tablets. Examples of low …
Medical uses
- If you are diabetic and your doctor prescribes dextrose oral gel or tablets for you, these should only be used when you have a low blood sugar reaction. Your doctor or diabetes educator should teach you how to spot the signs of low blood sugar and when to use the tablets. If you need to have the gel or tablets on hand, you should keep them with you at all times and you should keep …
Interactions
- Even if you dont have certain conditions, it is important to continually check your blood sugar if they are receiving dextrose. This can ensure that the dextrose does not dangerously increase blood sugar. You can check your blood sugar with home tests. They involve testing blood from a finger prick on a blood strip. For those who are physically unable to test their blood at home, urin…
Risks
- Dextrose can be used in children similarly to how it is used in adults, as a medical intervention for hypoglycemia.