Q&A: What is Dextrose? Is it Healthy?

Ever wondered what is the white power that the bakers sprinkle on your favourite vegan pastry? Yes, it's mostly powdered sugar, but sugars have dextrose listed as an ingredient. It is a simple sugar that is made from corn and is often used in baking products. Since it is a similar form of glucose, you can find it hidden in many packaging labels of chewing gum, artificial sweetener, and even your favourite candy.

What does it do?

As it is chemically identical, Dextrose is used in baking products as a sweetener and can be often found in items such as processed foods. It also has medical purposes, where it is dissolved in solutions or drugs which are used to increase a person’s blood sugar. And because it is a simple sugar, the body quickly uses it for energy.

Precautions – If we consume more sugar, it gets stored in the muscles as glycogen. Eating too much sugar over time can also lead to weight gain and a condition called as insulin resistance, which means that the glucose is not effectively being delivered to the cells in the body.

IS DEXTROSE VEGAN?

Normal dextrose, as it is derived from corn, we can say it is technically vegan, however,  and could very well have traces of animal products. 

Cultured dextrose, on the other hand, isn't vegan. Danisco, the producers of MicroGARD (cultured dextrose and cultured skim milk), use a dairy-derived ingredient (the culture) to manufacture this product.

The culture they use for the process is used to purify milk solids and then added to the dextrose. 

Who should not take Dextrose?

1. People with a problem with high blood sugar should avoid consuming products with dextrose.

2. If you have any kind of swelling in arms, feet, or legs.

VF Tip: If you have an allergy to corn, you could have an allergic reaction to dextrose. Talk to your doctor before using it.

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