Animals, including humans, use glucose for energy. Glucose, as it is metabolized in the body to feed your cells, is what's left over when carbohydrates like starch and sucrose (table sugar) are broken down during the digestive process. The term "blood sugar" refers to glucose. Some people with diabetes keep glucose tablets on hand in case their blood sugar goes too low.
Making Your Own
Because your body metabolizes glucose from the foods you eat, it is not necessary to ingest it. If you are diabetic and do not have any glucose tablets available, or would like to save money, you may want to have a substitute that is easy to make from ingredients you probably already have on hand. Research done at Binghamton University and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1998 states that brain function, especially as it relates to learning and retaining information, improves when glucose levels are higher (but not too high). If you are cramming for a test or learning new job skills, eating whole-grain bread products just before can help, or you can take a spoonful or two of the following solution. This solution is also useful for feeding puppies or other animals that are failing to thrive until they are able to feed on their own.
This recipe is not recommended to use intravenously to substitute for the 50 percent dextrose (glucose) solution used by medical professionals. Use it as an occasional energy supplement or in place of cooking glucose in recipes that call for it. It should metabolize quickly, so you can keep it on hand for blood sugar dips that can't be managed by simply eating balanced meals. If you have diabetes, consult with your health care provider before using this solution for any reason. The ingredients for a quart are simply 1 qt. filtered or distilled water, 1/4 cup honey, 1/2 tsp. sea salt (or table salt if sea salt is not available) and 1/2 tsp. baking soda. Stir these together until everything is well dissolved and store it in an airtight container.
Tags: blood sugar, glucose tablets