The commonly known ‘sugar’ (sucrose) is derived from sugar cane or sugar beet, comprising a combination of glucose and fructose. We usually find it in its granulated white form, sometimes known as table sugar.
Dextrose, another simple sugar, is derived from corn or wheat and is chemically identical to glucose, which is our blood sugar! Often employed as a sweetener in baking products, it can also be found in processed foods and corn syrup.
Sugar and dextrose are similar in some ways and not so similar in others. So, is one better than the other? It depends on the circumstance!
Comparing Dextrose vs Sugar
| Dextrose | Sugar | |
| Substitution ratio | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Gluten-free? | Yes | Yes |
| Keto-friendly? | No | No |
| Paleo-friendly? | No | No |
| Common Allergens | Corn | Sugarcane |
| Pantry shelf life (unopened/sealed) | 1 year | 2 years |
| Best for baking | Ice cream, custard, glucose sport hydration drinks. | Cakes, pastries, and desserts |
Differences Between Dextrose And Sugar
Sugar is the collective term for soluble carbohydrates that taste sweet and are commonly used in food. Simple sugars, known as monosaccharides, include glucose, fructose, and galactose. The familiar table sugar, called sucrose, is a combination of glucose and fructose extracted from sugar cane or sugar beet.
Dextrose, or D-glucose, is a type of sugar derived usually from corn. It closely resembles glucose, the sugar naturally present in the bloodstream, making it an easily accessible energy source for the human body.
Taste and Culinary Uses
Sugar is widely recognized as the gold standard of sweetness, offering a clean and pleasant taste that hits quickly and doesn’t linger. It lacks any secondary taste or aftertaste, making it an ideal choice for those seeking pure sweetness. However, the perception of sweetness can be influenced by various factors such as the concentration of sweetener in the food, temperature, pH level, and interactions with other ingredients. For instance, how sweet a sweetener tastes can vary when dissolved in water versus being added to different beverages like iced tea, hot coffee, lemonade, yogurt, cereal, or fruit.
In addition to its sweetening properties, sugar serves various other roles in food. It adds color to baked goods and acts as a preservative, flavor enhancer, and bulking agent. It is commonly used in sauces, syrups, and beverages to increase viscosity, resulting in a thicker consistency and more enjoyable mouthfeel.
Dextrose, a type of simple sugar, also possesses a sweet taste that our brains find rewarding. This can lead to a preference for its pleasant taste and potentially overconsumption, similar to addictive behavior. Dextrose primarily functions as a sweetener in food, particularly in baked goods. Its widespread availability also makes it a common ingredient in packaged foods. It may be used to counteract excessive spiciness or saltiness in certain food items.
Are Dextrose and Sugar Substitutes for Each Other?
Dextrose, also known as glucose powder, offers a less sweet taste than refined sugar, with a texture similar to coarse icing sugar. To substitute it, It is easiest to swap it 1:1 to keep the baking results pretty similar. Dextrose is not quite as sweet, though, which may alter the taste of your final product.
Nutritional Profile And Health Benefits
- Two teaspoons of table sugar provides:
- 30 calories
- Total carbohydrates of 8 grams
- Sugar content of 8 grams
- Its glycemic index (GI) score is 65
- With a quantity of 2.5 teaspoons, Dextrose offers:
- An energy value of 30 calories
- Total carbohydrate content of 7 grams
- 7 grams of sugars
- It has a high glycemic index (GI) of 100
Sugar offers a rapid supply of energy to fuel the body’s cells, tissues, and organs. However, dextrose is even better at this and is often used to address medical issues. It can be administered through injections to treat hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar) in individuals with Diabetes mellitus or to address insulin shock resulting from insufficient food intake after insulin use.
Diet Suitability
White sugar from sugarcane is not considered vegan due to the refining process, which often involves bone char. Although it is not directly derived from animal products, the involvement of bone char makes it non-vegan. Dextrose is derived from corn, and no bone char is used, so it is considered suitable for vegans.
Sugar is unsuitable for those following a keto diet as it is not a keto-friendly sweetener. And neither is dextrose. The high content of net carbs in sugar and dextrose derived can kick you out of ketosis, shifting your metabolism from burning fat to using carbohydrates for energy.
Similarly, neither are paleo-friendly or Whole30-friendly. Refined sugars do not comply with the rules of a paleo diet as they are usually highly refined.
Both dextrose from corn and table sugar are gluten-free.
How to Store Dextrose and Sugar
For optimal sugar storage, it is recommended to keep it in an airtight container at room temperature. The same applies to dextrose powder, which should be stored in a well-sealed bag and protected from moisture, light, and heat. Keeping the bag completely closed and storing it in a cupboard is the ideal method.
Price and Availability
You can find sugar for as low as 25 cents per pound, while dextrose is priced at $18.68, equivalent to $0.29 per ounce. Sugar is available at all supermarkets, whereas dextrose is more of a specialty ingredient and not as readily available.
Environmental Impact
Burning sugarcane has a detrimental impact on the environment, primarily through its contribution to air pollution. When the leafy parts of sugarcane are burned, they release harmful substances into the air, including nitrates, carbon compounds, and sulfates. These substances have a direct impact on air quality and pose a threat to human health. Moreover, they contribute to the issue of climate change by reducing oxidization efficiency and increasing ozone concentrations.
Dextrose also isn’t all that sustainable, as it is usually made from corn. Corn cultivation is not particularly eco-friendly. It tends to drain the soil of nitrogen and other vital nutrients and needs a lot of water to thrive. Since it forms one of the foundations of our food supply, farmers often aim to cultivate it in vast volumes, resulting in genetically modified seeds for drought resistance and congested fields.
Dextrose vs. Sugar: The Ultimate Verdict
I’ll take table sugar any day for cooking and baking. Table sugar is a bit sweeter, is lower GI, and also adds moisture to baked goods. I believe dextrose is best used for specialized purposes, such as making biodegradable plastics or as an additive in certain sports drinks. It can be helpful for athletes seeking a quick boost of energy or diabetics looking to avoid hypoglycemia.
FAQs
It is pretty much the same as sugar but higher GI, so it may be a little worse.
Yes, you can. Dextrose is highly effective in adding sweetness to beverages and liquid-based dishes like custards and ice creams. It can be easily substituted for sugar in a one-to-one ratio.
If you want to use dextrose instead of sugar in a recipe, you can simply swap it 1:1. It may have slight differences in texture and flavor. For example, when using dextrose, you might need to add a little less liquid to the recipe to get the right consistency.
