The Science of Glucose

Whether you are a high-level athlete, expectant mother or construction worker, you know how important it is to keep your energy up in order to be able to do what you need to do on a daily basis. To do so, you turn to energy and electrolyte replacement drinks to replenish your body and keep you from wearing down faster. The number of sports drinks being sold in the United States rose 11 percent in 2012, according to an industry report by Euromonitor International. It is important to understand what is in your drinks so that you can actively choose the solution that will be the best for your body and keep you moving efficiently.

Glucose and Your Body

As we all know it is best to steer clear of sugary drinks, especially when we are looking to reenergize and stay healthy. While glucose is a sugar, it is unlike other sugars in that it is the fuel your body relies on every minute of the day. It doesn’t matter if you are running a marathon or corralling the kids around the house, your body is dependent on your glucose levels in order to operate. When you eat, your body breaks down the food to glucose, the simplest form of energy and the only form that your cells will readily absorb. The more complex your drink is, the more difficult it will be for your body to break down to glucose that you need to create energy.

Glucose vs. Fructose and Sucrose

Glucose is the preferred standard of energy for fueling both mental and physical activity. As such, your electrolyte replacement drink should have glucose as its primary ingredient so you don’t expend time and energy by having your body convert other sugars to glucose. When your glucose levels are low, your body will not be able to ignore this and you will notice that your performance suffers. In addition, diabetics are able to ingest glucose because it acts as a blood sugar moderator in the body.

Fructose, on the other hand, is poorly absorbed by the body and enters your bloodstream only. It uses vital energy when metabolized, causing you to waste instead of gain energy when you need it most. The process for breaking down fructose is regulated by insulin. As such, those with erratic or insufficient insulin levels may find that the body is unable to convert fructose into glucose. The result is soaring blood sugar levels followed by levels that plummet below normal.

High intake of sucrose is linked with cavities, obesity and increased triglycerides. Sucrose is much sweeter tasting than glucose, which is why it is included as an ingredient in many foods and drinks. Like fructose, the processes used to break down sucrose are regulated by insulin and can cause serious effects in your body.

Glucose in Various Sports and Replacement Drinks

Knowing what you now know about glucose, fructose and sucrose, you would think that sports and replacement drinks would include glucose to give you back the energy you need. However, this is not the case. Some of the most recognizable brands of sport

drinks, such as Gatorade, have more water, sucrose syrup and high fructose corn syrup as main ingredients. These are hard to digest and are not energy ready as glucose is.

Vitalyte is different in that it is made almost entirely of glucose and other vitamins and minerals that provide you with the nutrients you need from your electrolyte replacement drinks. Its isotonic formula is quickly absorbed from the stomach to the bloodstream to give you back the energy required to live life to the fullest. For more information about the science of glucose and its benefits, visit www.vitalyte.com.

Summary

Glucose is the simplest form of fuel that your body relies on for mental and physical activity. It doesn’t go through complex digestive or metabolic processes so your body can quickly use it to restore energy levels. Electrolyte replacement drinks made with glucose help you get the nutrients you need to live life your way.

Company Bio

Vitalyte (www.vitalyte.com) is an electrolyte replacement product that is quickly and efficiently absorbed by the body to give consumers a much-needed boost in energy. Four decades after its creation, Vitalyte continues to further creator Bill Gookin’s vision of creating the finest in sports nutrition with drinks, gels and bars.

Source:

1. “Sports and Energy Drinks in the US,” Euromonitor International, July 2013, Web, 08 May 2014.