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What Are the Dangers of Glucose in Large Doses?

Glucose appears in combination with fructose as table sugar and the body can produce it from many of the foods you eat. It's your fuel. Whether you eat glucose in large doses or produce excessive quantities of it, too much glucose has a negative impact on your health in several ways. Watching the amount of food you eat is one way to control glucose intake but another is to keep a careful eye on the content of your food. Food manufacturers add sweeteners in unexpected products such as ketchup, salad dressings and bread in order to entice consumers.

  1. Obesity

    • Dr. Frank Hu of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston compared a 12 oz. can of soda to an oral glucose tolerance test.

      Your body stores the glucose you do not burn off as energy by exercising as fat. Excess body fat can lead to high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, heart and kidney failure.

    Diabetes

    • Over time, high amounts of glucose can increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes. While there are other factors that determine whether you will have diabetes, such as your family history, the Nurses' Health Study, and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study show a connection between the disease and the increased consumption of sweet beverages.

      The Nurses' Health Study also showed a correlation between gestational diabetes and the consumption of soft drinks.

    Gastrointestinal Distress

    • Excessive amounts of glucose, more than 20 to 50 grams per day, can cause diarrhea. Additional symptoms can include cramps and nausea.

    Immune Problems

    • Excessive amounts of glucose can lower your resistance to diseases by affecting the functionality of your white blood cells and spiking your insulin levels. The latter can affect your production of certain hormones and make your body more vulnerable to infections.

    Dental Issues

    • While it's easier to brush away extra sugar from your teeth than it is to remove it from your waistline, your teeth and therefore general health can suffer from too much glucose.

    Fatigue and Loss of Productivity

    • You may get a quick burst of energy from a large amount of sugar but you most likely will crash soon after. It can also cause headaches, which will have you craving a nice quiet place to lie down and rest.

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