Glucose, a carbohydrate, is the most import simple sugar in the human metabolic process, according to information provided by the Physics Department at Georgia State University. It is the primary component of corn syrup, a sweetener commonly found in processed foods. Glucose is metabolized by the body in a process that produces carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen compounds and energy to be used by cells. Diabetes is a health condition characterized by abnormally high levels of glucose in the bloodstream.
Hypoglycemia
An insufficient amount of glucose in your bloodstream is hazardous to your health. Hypoglycemia, also called low blood glucose or an insulin reaction, occurs in people with diabetes or other health conditions. According to information provided by the American Diabetes Association, symptoms of hypoglycemia include, but are not limited to, dizziness, headache, pale skin, crying for no apparent reason, confusion and seizures. It advises eating at least 15 g to 20 g of sugars or carbohydrates as the fastest method of raising your blood glucose level into your target range. Foods that are high in fat as well as sugar, such as a cookie, do not work as well as fruit juice or a pretzel.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose, is a principal cause of complications in diabetes patients. It's caused by stress and illness as well as eating more or less than you planned and not giving yourself enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone and a protein that controls the levels of glucose in the body. Symptoms of hyperglycemia, according to the American Diabetes Association include high blood glucose levels, high levels of sugar in the urine, frequent urination and increased thirst. If not treated you could succumb to a condition called ketoacidosis, commonly called a diabetic coma. It suggests working with your doctor to find the safest way to lower your blood glucose level. Symptoms of oncoming ketoacidosis include, but are not limited to breath that smells fruity and shortness of breath.
Sweetener
Glucose sweeteners are better for you than fructose, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of California Davis as reported on Time magazine website in 2009. The study included 32 overweight or obese participants who drank 25 percent of their daily energy requirement from beverages sweetened with either fructose or glucose for 12 weeks. The results, reported by Time from the "Journal of Clinical Investigation," show both groups gained a similar amount of weight, however only the participants drinking fructose-sweetened beverages showed unhealthy changes in liver function.
