Why Dextrose is Used in Sports Drinks and Supplements
The chemical makeup of dextrose is extremely similar to glucose, the sugar normally utilized by the human body. When dextrose is added as a supplement to sports drinks, the body readily sequesters it for both aerobic and anaerobic activities. Food additive supplier Bell Chem wishes to explain more pertinent information on dextrose and why you are more likely to find it rather than any other sugar additive in your sports drinks and supplements.
How dextrose affects the body
Dextrose is a simple carbohydrate commonly derived from either corn or wheat. Because its chemical formula almost mirrors that of glucose, the body absorbs it rapidly, leading to rapid increases in blood sugar levels. Since the blood supplies muscle fibers with energy in the form of ATP, and ATP runs on glucose, adding a supplement to the body containing dextrose will stimulate ATP to generate energy within muscle fibers. As the muscle fibers are able to contract more rapidly, the body is able to lift heavier weights, run faster, or jump farther than it could when blood sugar levels are depleted.
Dextrose for focus
The majority of the focus of dextrose is its ability to affect slow- and fast-twitch muscle fibers during exercise. However, dextrose has another superpower.
Your brain requires a huge amount of fuel to function. In fact, in ordinary situations, the brain usurps approximately 20%-25% of the available blood sugar. When the brain is tasked with mental exertion, that amount surpasses the normal amount of usage and it can quickly become fatigued, leading to slower reflexes, muddled thoughts, or “brain fog.” With a quick burst of dextrose in the form of a supplement or in an energy drink, those symptoms disappear post haste, and the brain’s functions resume as normal.
Dextrose for athleticism
When an athlete needs to perform in peak condition, an energy drink quickly reinvigorates a workout. From bodybuilders to long-distance marathon runners, energy drinks are ideal to keep going. Studies have proven dextrose works to increase muscle mass since when muscle fibers are depleted of sugar, they can no longer contract, and the athlete is forced to end the workout. Adding a dose of dextrose spurs the muscle fibers to continue contracting.
Most workouts, whether of short or long duration, necessitate two core requirements: carbohydrates and water. When either of these is a limiting factor, workouts diminish rapidly. An energy drink replenishes both, and workouts proceed.
Bell Chem is your food additive supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including dextrose. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or send us a message.