Glucose

Glucose(C₆H₁₂O₆), also known as D-glucose, dextrose, and blood sugar, is the main source of energy in most animals and plants. It can be found in almost all plants, because it is the product of photosynthesis. In humans, it is the major source of energy. Upon ingesting glucose, it is absorbed into the blood stream by the small intestine, carried to the liver via the portal vein, where some is stored, and the rest reenters the circulatory system. A lot is stored in the muscles and various other cells.

When there is not enough glucose in your body, you start experiencing the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Because the lack of glucose inhibits your cells from operating properly, you will feel fatigued, light headed, and nauseaus. In extreme cases, people can go into comas. A common disorder called diabetes is caused by your body's inability to use glucose productively. This can happen when your body doesn't produce enough insolin, or you become "glucose intolerant" from lack of excersize and bad diet.

Glucose is used a lot in cooking, especially baking and making various types of sweets. It is used so commonly in baking because it is readily fermented, or fed on, by yeast. It is used to make a lot of candies and frostings because it doesn't crystalize easily.