Dextrose, also called glucose, is a type of simple sugar. Dextrose occurs naturally in some types of food, including fruit. Dextrose is also used as a sweetener and added to a variety of processed foods. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, most people can safely include a small amount of added sugar, such as dextrose, in their diets. Consuming excessive amounts of added dextrose may negatively impact your health.
Empty Calories and Weight
Added sugars -- such as dextrose -- are sources of empty calories, meaning they offer little or no nutritional value. Indeed, dextrose lacks essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Furthermore, dextrose is a high-energy food which means that it contains a large amount of calories in a small serving size. Dextrose is commonly added to desserts, baked goods, pastries, ice cream and sugary beverages. Because dextrose is calorie-dense, foods that include added dextrose tend to be high in calories. For this reason, sources of added dextrose may contribute to weight gain.
Tooth Decay
Consuming dextrose as well as other types of added sugar may lead to oral health problems, such as tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth thrive on sugar. Unless quickly brushed away, some of the dextrose you consume remains on your teeth. Bacteria begin feeding on the dextrose stuck to your teeth. This process produces acid which contributes to the buildup of plaque on your teeth and along your gum line. If left untreated, a buildup of plaque may eventually lead to cavities and abscesses.
Triglycerides
Consuming an excessive amount of added sugar, such as dextrose, may increase your triglycerides. According to MayoClinic.com, limiting your sugar intake is one of the best ways to help reduce your triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are a type of fat that is found in your blood and fatty tissue. Having too many triglycerides in your body may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke because triglycerides tend to harden and narrow the walls of your arteries.
Daily Recommended Intake
According to the American Heart Association, you should limit your intake of added sugars to about 100 to 150 calories a day. Keep in mind that the average 12-ounce can of non-diet soda contains about 133 calories from added sugar. Remember that dextrose is just one of many types of sugar commonly added to foods. In addition to dextrose, examples of added sugars include high fructose corn syrup, nectar, molasses, malt syrup and honey.
References
- Center for Science in the Public Interest; Chemical Cuisine – Learn about Food Additives
- MayoClinic.com; Nutrition and Healthy Eating – Added Sugar: Don’t Get Sabotaged By Sweeteners; April 2011
- United States Department of Agriculture, Choose My Plate: Empty Calories --What are Empty Calories?
- MayoClinic.com; Nutrition and Healthy Eating – Added Sugar: Don’t Get Sabotaged By Sweeteners; April 2011
- United States Department of Agriculture, Choose My Plate – Empty Calories: What are Added Sugars?
- MayoClinic.com; Cavities/Tooth Decay: Causes; April 2011
- American Heart Association; Learn and Live – Sugars 101
- MayoClinic.com; High Cholesterol – Triglycerides: Why Do They Matter?; June 2011
- Medline Plus; Trusted Health Information for You – Triglycerides
