Dextrose And Sodium Chloride

Dextrose and sodium chloride both form white crystals. They both dissolve easily in water and are staples in most households. But the similarities end there. Sodium chloride is an inorganic salt while dextrose is an organic hydrocarbon. Understanding some of the properties of these common ingredients helps you make better nutritional decisions for your family.

Dextrose Chemistry

Dextrose is also known as d-glucose. The "d" stands for "dextrorotatory" and refers to the optical orientation of the molecule. Most biologically active molecules are dextrorotatory, instead of levorotatory. Just like glucose, dextrose is a six carbon sugar. It's a common ingredient in foods, intravenous fluids, energy drinks and supplements.

Dextrose and Energy

Energy stored in the bonds of ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, makes many of the chemical reactions in the body possible. Thirty six ATP molecules are formed from the metabolism of a single molecule of glucose. High sugar foods supply quick energy foods because they produce ATP. If the energy isn't needed, the body stores glucose for subsequent use.

Sodium Chloride Chemistry

Sodium chloride is ordinary table salt. Sodium chloride dissociates into positively charged sodium ions and negatively charged chloride ions when dissolved in water. It has a molecular weight of 58.44 g/mole. Adding salt to water raises the boiling point and lowers the freezing point of the water. The change in these temperatures depends on how much sodium chloride is added to the water.

Biological Activity

The concentration of sodium and potassium ions on either side of the membrane of nerve cells makes it possible for an impulse to travel from one nerve to another. This activity is so important to sustaining life that multiple hormones and feedback loops in the body regulate sodium levels.

Sodium also controls the body's extracellular fluid, or the fluid between the cells. Too much extracellular fluid pushing on the walls of blood vessels causes high blood pressure. Limiting sodium in your diet is a good first response if you have hypertension.

Culture

While ancient peoples could obtain sugar from locally grown fruits, getting salt was often considerably harder. Egyptian artwork depicting salt-making shows that people used salt at least as far back as 1450 B.C. The phrase "isn't worth his salt" comes from ancient Greece, where slaves were traded for salt. In the Middle Ages, salt caravans coursed across north Africa, where salt was as valuable as gold.