Dextrose, or glucose as it's also known, is a monosaccharide that is approximately 25% less sweet than pure or refined cane sugar, and is not associated with either fructose or lactose. It is derived entirely from corn, making it natural, effective, and easily utilized by the body. Its fine texture and moderate sweetness make dextrose versatile for a wide range of applications. However, it offers an especially important effect for athletes. As a simple sugar, it is well-tolerated by most individuals with healthy blood sugar levels, and can be consumed before, during and after the most intense training sessions.
From an athletic performance perspective, dextrose can help ensure that hard-worked muscles are not deprived the protein and nutrients they need to recover, repair and replenish. Dextrose has a high glycemic index (GI) rating which allows it to enter the bloodstream very quickly. This action stimulates a powerful and almost instantaneous insulin response. Insulin is a natural hormone with strong anabolic properties that helps drive nutrients into the cells of hungry muscle fibers, such as creatine monohydrate, beta-alanine, L-arginine, L-carnitine and others. NOW Dextrose is 100% pure and manufactured under NOW's strict quality standards.
This is a great, inexpensive way to buy pure dextrose. I toss this in with most of my protein shakes (not bedtime shake though). It adds sweetness and energy and mixes really well. I also add some maltodextrin in with it, but that doesn't add much sweetness. I like the 2 lb. packs because it takes me a couple months to go through one.
Dextrose is a simple sugar derived from corn instead of sugar cane and accordingly is less sweet. It can be used as a 1 to 1 replacement for cane sugar. As a chocolatier, I use this product in preparing candies - it is very fine and dissolves into solution quickly - this means there is no sugar "grit" to impair the mouth feel of fine chocolates. I Highly recommend product for candy making.
We get plenty of sugar in our diets, but what about after a hard muscle building workout? Most people forget the triad for muscle growth: good workout, nutrition, and rest. I rank nutrition and rest on top. Now Dextrose goes into my post-workout drink to help my muscles re-fuel. They thank me for it.
Inexpensive. Not too sweet. Easy to digest fast. Great for a post-workout drink (about 25g of it) along with protein, 5g of creatine and 5g of l-glutamate. Really cuts the bitter taste of these things.