From the Guidelines
No, 15 grams of glucose does not indicate 30 grams of sucrose total. When treating hypoglycemia, the American Diabetes Association recommends 15 grams of glucose as the preferred treatment for conscious individuals with hypoglycemia (blood glucose < 70 mg/dL [3.9 mmol/L]) 1. According to the standards of care in diabetes-2024, for most individuals, 15 g carbohydrates should be ingested to treat hypoglycemia 1. While sucrose is indeed composed of equal parts glucose and fructose, the molecular weights must be considered. When sucrose (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁) is hydrolyzed, it yields one molecule of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and one molecule of fructose (C₆H₁₂O₆), but water is incorporated in this process. Due to this hydrolysis reaction, 342 grams of sucrose yields approximately 180 grams of glucose and 180 grams of fructose (totaling 360 grams). Therefore, 15 grams of glucose would correspond to approximately 28.5 grams of sucrose (15 × 342/180), not 30 grams. This calculation is important in medical contexts, particularly when converting between different carbohydrate sources for dietary management or when calculating equivalent doses for treating conditions like hypoglycemia. Key points to consider when treating hypoglycemia include:
- Using fast-acting carbohydrates at the hypoglycemia alert value of 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) or less 1
- Rechecking glucose 15 min after ingesting carbohydrates and repeating carbohydrate ingestion and seeking care for ongoing hypoglycemia 1
- Avoiding carbohydrate sources high in protein, as they may increase insulin secretion and should not be used to treat hypoglycemia 1
From the Research
Sucrose and Glucose Content
- Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of equal parts glucose and fructose 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- If 15 grams of glucose is used for treatment, it would be equivalent to 30 grams of sucrose in terms of glucose content, since sucrose contains 50% glucose.
Treatment of Hypoglycemia
- Studies have shown that ingestion of 15 grams of carbohydrate in the form of glucose or sucrose can provide effective therapy for hypoglycemia 2, 4, 5.
- The American Diabetes Association recommends 15-20 grams of glucose or sucrose for the treatment of hypoglycemia, which can be repeated after 15 minutes if symptoms persist 4.
- However, the use of sucrose may not always be recommended due to its slower absorption rate compared to glucose 2, 5.
Equivalent Dosage
- Based on the composition of sucrose, 30 grams of sucrose would contain 15 grams of glucose, making it an equivalent dosage for treating hypoglycemia 2, 4, 5.
- However, it is essential to note that the absorption rate and glycemic response may vary between glucose and sucrose, which could affect the treatment outcome 2, 3, 5, 6.