Difference Between Dextrose and Sucrose (With Table)

For the human body, every part of the nutrient is important to take up for a healthy mind and body. A healthy diet consists of all the nutrients in equal proportions, that is – carbohydrates, proteins, fats, amino acids, sugars, fiber, roughage, etc. They all have constituents from the simple version to the complex one. Sugars are also distinguished in many other forms, from monosaccharides to oligosaccharides and polysaccharides (the complex ones).

Dextrose vs Sucrose

The main difference between Dextrose and Sucrose is that Dextrose is classified as the monosaccharide with a single unit of sugar, and that is Glucose, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, Sucrose is classified as the disaccharide sugar along with the two-unit of sugar that is Glucose and fructose. Dextrose is the sugar that is also known to be Glucose, while sugar Sucrose is also known to be Table Sugar.

Dextrose sugar is a great example of a monosaccharide and is a single glucose unit of it. The most common source of sugar is corn. The taste of the sweetness of dextrose is less compared to Sucrose. It is one of the natural sources of sugar, which is obtained from sugarcane or, say, from starch.

Sucrose sugar is another great example of disaccharide sugar and comprises two units – one is Glucose, and one is fructose. It is also known as the naturally occurring sugar, and the main sources for it are – fruits, cereals, vegetables, and many other sources. Also, it is used as an additive sugar agent in many food items.   

Comparison Table Between Dextrose and Sucrose

Parameters of Comparison

Dextrose

Sucrose

What is it?

Monosaccharides made up of Glucose unit

Disaccharide made up of Glucose unit and Fructose unit

Common Name

Glucose

Table Sugar

Synonyms

D or L-glucose

Saccharose

Sweetness

Less

More

Nature of Sugar

Simple

Complex

Source

Bread, vegetables, cereals, and many more

Honey, syrup, and many other

Blood Sugar Levels

Increases

Increases but not eventually

Energy Level

Increase then drop

Stabilize for longer time

Glycemic Index

High

Less

What is Dextrose?

Dextrose is the scientific term that is used in place of ‘’glucose’’. This is an example of monosaccharide sugar that is a simple form of sugar. They constitute of the sugar is made up of one single unit, and it is of Glucose. On the other side, the chemical synonym that is used by the scientists for the sugar dextrose is ‘’D or L-glucose’’.

The naturally occurring sugar has the main source as corn. The other sources for obtaining sugar can be fruits, cereals, vegetables, and many other things. The dextrose sugar is less sweetened in taste. Because of its simple sugar, the body can metabolize it easily in the body.

The intake of sugar causes an increase in blood sugar levels. It also causes to increase in the energy levels of the body, but with time being, it decreases. Also, the glycemic index of dextrose sugar tends to be high.

What is Sucrose?

Sucrose is the scientific term that is used in place of ‘’table sugar’’. Sugar is a form of carbohydrate that exists in two forms that is simple and complex. In the sub-classification of sugars, Sucrose is an example of a disaccharide. The constituent of the sugar is made with two units are Glucose and fructose, in the ratio of 50:50 or 1:1.

The naturally occurring sugar is obtained from the sugar cane and sugar beet. The other sources for obtaining the sugar are vegetables, fruits, cereals also sometimes act as added sugar in some processed food items like – beverages, soda, canned fruits or vegetables, ice cream, etc.

It provides stable energy levels that maintain in the human body. The blood sugar level is increased by the intake of this type of sugar, but the response is not immediate.

Main Differences Between Dextrose and Sucrose

  1. Dextrose is classified as one of the sugar listed as monosaccharide, which is made up of a single glucose unit, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, Sucrose is classified as sugar listed as one of the examples of disaccharide and hence is made up of two combined units of Glucose and fructose.
  2. The chemical formula of the sugar Dextrose is C6H1206, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the chemical formula of the sugar Sucrose is C12H22O11. 
  3. The common name by which dextrose is popularly is known is ‘’glucose’’ whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the common name by which Sucrose is popularly known is ‘’table sugar’’.
  4. The synonyms chemically used by scientists to signify dextrose are ‘’D or L-glucose’’ whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the synonyms chemically used by the scientists to signify Sucrose are ‘’saccharose’’.
  5. The amount of sugar or the taste of sugar in dextrose or Glucose is less, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the Sucrose is much sweeter.
  6. Dextrose sugar is termed as a simple sugar, and hence it is easier for the body to metabolize it, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, sucrose sugar is termed as the complex sugar, and because of this, the body finds it difficult for it to metabolize and hence takes longer time to digest.
  7. The major source for dextrose sugar is cereals, vegetables, bread, and many more others, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the major source for sucrose sugar is the honey, syrup, and many more others. 
  8. Dextrose sugar increases the blood sugar level of the body, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, sucrose sugar increases the blood sugar level but not eventually of the body.
  9. Dextrose sugar tends to increase the energy level of the body, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, sucrose sugar maintains the steadiness in the energy level that is maintained for quite a long time.
  10. The glycemic index for the Dextrose sugar is high, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the glycemic index for the Sucrose sugar is less. 

Conclusion

To summarize the above discussion about the different types of sugars. Sugars are among one of the main constituents that is required by a human body to maintain the sugar level and energy levels of the body. Sugars can be classified as simple and complex, while complex can be further divided into many sub-divisions that are monosaccharide, oligosaccharide, and polysaccharide.

Dextrose is an example of a monosaccharide, while Sucrose is an example of a disaccharide, a sub-classification of an oligosaccharide. The source of the sugars is common bread, vegetables, syrups, honey, cereals, and many more others. Also, while using them, dextrose increases the sugar levels while Sucrose makes it a steady level. 

References

  1. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/jres/045/4/v45.n04.a05.pdf
  2. http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/2632
  3. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/109662004322984789
  4. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/i560089a004