Glucose and dextrose are types of sugar, just like fructose . However, it is important to note that the term "sugar" is often used as a synonym for table sugar. Let's clarify the differences.
Dextrose belongs to the group of carbohydrates, which, along with fats and proteins, are the most important nutrients for humans. It is the most important simple sugar and is also commonly called grape sugar or, in medicine, glucose. However, the different names always refer to the same molecule.
In ingredient lists, however, the legally prescribed names must be used. According to the Sugar Types Regulation, " dextrose " (monosaccharide) and " sugar " (sucrose, disaccharide) are defined differently. Monosaccharides are dextrose on the one hand and fructose on the other. According to the regulation, dextrose must also be listed separately in the ingredients.
Dextrose is a monosaccharide with a particularly high glycemic index and is contained in our products as dextrose monohydrate. This means that this molecule is already optimally available for absorption in the digestive tract. This means that this dextrose is also very quickly available in the body. This makes dextrose particularly interesting for use as a carbohydrate in sports.
In the food industry, glucose dry powder is often abbreviated to dextrose. Glucose dry powder always consists of one part dextrose (grape sugar, simple carbohydrate) and one part glucose (complex carbohydrate) due to the production process (enzymatic breakdown). Dextrose dry powder D30 is often used, which means a dextrose content of 30%. It is obtained from grain and is now also available in organic form.
The term maltodextrin , on the other hand, is a combination of the words maltose (malt sugar, complex carbohydrate) and dextrose (grape sugar, simple carbohydrate) and a mix of different carbohydrates. Maltodextrin has the special feature that although it binds little water, it dissolves easily in water. Maltodextrin is essentially obtained from corn starch, which in turn is obtained from genetically modified corn plants.
Maltodextrin and glucose dry powder are also generally referred to as glucose syrup or glucose syrup dry powder. The production of both products is identical. Only the raw materials used differ.
Dextrose , glucose and maltodextrin contain little or no fructose. This means that in combination with a separate fructose source, a specific glucose:fructose ratio can be created.
Complex carbohydrates take longer to be absorbed by the body. The body must first convert the complex sugars into simple sugars in order to be able to absorb the resulting dextrose. Accordingly, it is important which ingredients are actually contained in the product. The composition determines the speed at which carbohydrates are available.
The listing of nutrients in the nutritional table is regulated differently than the listing of ingredients in a product. Nutritional labelling is mandatory for almost all pre-packaged foods throughout the EU. This is stipulated by the EU Food Information Regulation No. 1169/2011 (LMIV). Here, the addition of all monosaccharides and disaccharides is mandatory under the term "sugar".
The confusion caused by the use of different names cannot be easily resolved. However, we have consciously decided to provide the ingredients list in as much detail as possible in order to create clarity about the ingredients. We believe it is more important that it is clear what is contained in the commercial name.
By the way, household sugar has nothing to do with glucose powder or dextrose monohydrate. Household sugar comes from sugar beet and always contains 50% fructose. This glucose:fructose ratio of 1:1 has been judged to be physiologically unfavorable in endurance sports under stress conditions. This has been shown by various studies.
Sources:
https://www.lebenmittelklarheit.de/fragen- Answeren/was-ist-der-Different-zwischen-dextrose-und-zucker
https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/zuckartv_2003/ZuckArtV_2003.pdf
https://www.bzfe.de/lebensmittel/einkauf-und-kennzeichen/kennzeichen/naehrwertkennzeichen/
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpgi.00419.2010