Glucose Syrup: Uses, Downsides, and More (2024)

FAQs

Glucose Syrup: Uses, Downsides, and More? ›

Glucose syrup is a liquid sweetener often used in commercial foods to improve taste and shelf life. However, eating this syrup regularly is unhealthy, as it's highly processed and loaded with calories and sugar. As such, it's best to avoid this ingredient. Instead, look for foods that contain healthier sweeteners.

Added sugars and high fructose corn syrup are considered primary causes of the overweighting of America. Weight gain abetted by high-calorie foods containing HFCS can also contribute to heart disease, diabetes, fatty liver disease and dyslipidemia, an abnormal level of cholesterol and other fats in the blood.

Glucose is the simplest type of carb. When you consume it, it turns into blood glucose, which your body uses as energy. However, some people experience high blood glucose levels, which may cause diabetes.

A study found no differences in the consumption of fructose versus high-fructose corn syrup versus glucose. Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been associated with increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

The difference is very small and not particularly relevant from a health perspective. Of course, if you compared regular table sugar and HFCS 90, which has 90% fructose, regular sugar would be far more desirable, as excessive consumption of fructose can be very harmful.

-Check the ingredients: Sucrose and glucose are essentially sugar, and acid can destroy the outer layer of our tooth. Both of these can promote dental cavities. -If you are selecting a vitamin, consider selecting one that dissolves in the mouth or that can be chewed, but is not sticky.

One tablespoon (15 ml) is loaded with 62 calories and 17 grams of carbs — nearly 4 times more than the amounts found in table sugar ( 8 , 9 ). Consuming glucose syrup regularly may increase your risk of obesity, high blood sugar, poor dental health, high blood pressure, and heart disease ( 10 , 11 ).

As glucose molecules will absorb directly through oral tissue, the gel is either swallowed directly or allowed to stay in the mouth momentarily to facilitate rapid absorption via various areas of the mouth cavity and then swallowed to allow absorption into the blood via the small intestine.

Taking fluids during exercise reduced the strain and the rating of perceived exertion; this was better achieved by ingesting a dextrose/electrolytes solution.

What is the healthiest alternative to sugar? ›

Stevia and monk fruit are both naturally derived from plants and some people feel they have a flavor very similar to regular sugar. The FDA says these sweeteners are “generally regarded as safe,” which means they are safe to use for their intended purpose.

Is glucose good or bad for you? Blood glucose is not only a good thing, but is also essential for maintaining enough energy to thrive and to survive. At the same time, too much of it can become toxic and cause brain fog, fatigue and eventually even serious damage to bodily organs.

People often consider honey to be healthier than sugar, but it depends on the use. Like sugar, honey is high in carbs, can raise blood sugar levels, and is high in calories. Both honey and sugar add sweetness to meals and snacks. However, they have different tastes, textures, and nutritional profiles.

To replace glucose syrup, we recommend using other naturally occurring syrups, like honey, maple syrup, and agave syrups. The textures and flavor profiles will give you a similar texture and mouthfeel to your final results.

The production quota for high fructose corn syrup is intended to ensure fair agricultural/economic development across all territories in the EU and is not related to the health concerns many public health authorities have regarding the proliferation of high fructose corn syrup in the food supply.

These syrups are derived mainly from corn and wheat, whose starches are converted to a range of carbohydrates, some with high glucose contents. These syrups are used to supplement fermentable sugars derived from malt.

There is currently no evidence to suggest that HFCS is any worse than sugar. Both high fructose corn syrup and sugar are essentially the same; the difference between them is too small to matter in moderate consumption, and in excess both are harmful to health.

HFCS is just as bad as regular table sugar in terms of health risks, including weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay. Still, manufacturers use HFCS as a cheap alternative in many processed foods and drinks. You do not need to cut out baked goods, candy, and soda from your diet, but try limiting your intake.

While table sugar has a fixed proportion of 50% glucose and 50% fructose, the percentage of these molecules in syrups may vary. If a syrup contains more than 50% of fructose, it is called “fructose-glucose syrup” on the packaging. If there is less than 50% fructose in it, it is called “glucose-fructose syrup”.

Made up exclusively of glucose, these sugars are permitted if you suffer from fructose malabsorption or fructose intolerance. In addition, glucose syrup has a "softer" sweetness and tastes better than pure glucose.