Dextrose is the name of a simple sugar that is made from corn and is chemically identical to glucose, or blood sugar. Dextrose is often used in baking products as a sweetener, and can be commonly found in items such as processed foods and corn syrup.
Dextrose also has medical purposes. It is dissolved in solutions that are given intravenously, which can be combined with other drugs, or used to increase a person’s blood sugar.
Because dextrose is a “simple” sugar, the body can quickly use it for energy.
Dextrose is a form of glucose derived from starches. It is one of the most commonly used ingredients in packaged foods because of its affordability and wide availability. Baking products and desserts often contain dextrose, but it may be used as an added sugar in any processed food that is sweetened by the manufacturer. Because the name varies depending on its original starch source, you may not realize a particular food contains dextrose.
Dextrose 5% in water is sometimes used as a diluent (liquid) for preparing injectable medication in an IV bag. A diluent provides a large amount of fluid in which to dilute a small amount of medicine. The diluent helps carry the medicine into your bloodstream through the IV. This helps your caregivers inject the medicine slowly and more safely into your body.
Global glucose (dextrose) market is expected to witness a rapid increase in demand due to the rise in consumption of glucose syrup over the forecast period. Glucose syrup accounts for a majority share in the global starch derivatives market owing to its wide range use in the manufacture of candy products and is poised to grow at a very intense rate by the end of 2020. Some other derivatives of glucose include maltodextrin, hydolysates and cyclodextrin. Glucose is primarily used along with sugar as it exhibits complimentary characteristics to natural sugar such as preventing sugar from crystallizing, reducing stickiness of sugar and retention of extra moisture. Glucose is extensively used as an additive in pharmaceuticals and nutrition foods owing to its high energy content. Over the past few years, there has been an increasing use of glucose in the form of tablets or medicine for patients having low blood sugar. Growth of the pharmaceutical industry is expected to augment demand for glucose over the forecast period.