You've probably had a low where you found yourself rummaging through the pantry, looking for something sweet. A handful of candy? Some leftover juice? Maybe a chocolate bar?
They all contain sugar, so they should all do the trick, right?
Not exactly. The type of sugar you're eating can make a difference in how quickly your blood glucose rises. And when you're low, understanding that difference can help you choose something that gets to work faster.
First, Not All Sugar Is the Same
We tend to use the word "sugar" as a catchall, but there are several different types, each with its own chemical structure and path through the body.
Three of the most common are glucose, sucrose, and fructose.
Glucose: The Direct Route
Glucose, also called dextrose, is the sugar your body uses directly for energy. It's also what your blood glucose meter and CGM are measuring.
When you consume glucose, it can be absorbed through your small intestine and enter your bloodstream without first needing to be broken down into another type of sugar. That's what makes it especially useful when your blood sugar is low.
Glucose tablets, glucose gels, and dextrose-based gummies are designed to deliver this type of carbohydrate directly. And because glucose has a high glycemic index, it gets to work quickly. When you know exactly how much you're taking, it's easier to treat a low without overdoing it and sending your blood sugar soaring later.
Sucrose: The Familiar Table Sugar
Sucrose is the sugar you'll find in your sugar bowl, many candies, baked goods, and sweetened beverages.
It's actually made of two simpler sugars joined together: one molecule of glucose and one molecule of fructose.
Before your body can absorb sucrose, digestive enzymes split it into those two components. The glucose portion can then enter your bloodstream, while the fructose portion follows a different metabolic pathway.
That extra step doesn't necessarily mean sucrose is slow. Your body can break it down relatively quickly, so foods containing table sugar can still be effective for treating lows. However, because only half of sucrose is glucose, it may not raise your blood sugar quite as directly as pure dextrose.
Sucrose can work for treating lows, but glucose is generally the preferred choice when you want a fast, predictable rise in blood sugar.
Fructose: The Different Path
Fructose is found naturally in fruit and honey and is also present in many sweetened foods and beverages.
Unlike glucose, fructose is processed primarily by the liver after absorption. It doesn't raise blood glucose as directly as glucose does.
This distinction matters when treating hypoglycemia. A carbohydrate source that's primarily fructose may have a different immediate effect on blood sugar than one containing the same amount of glucose.
However, whole fruit and fruit juice contain mixtures of sugars, often including glucose, fructose, and sucrose. That's why fruit juice can still be an effective option for treating lows.
Fructose isn't interchangeable with glucose when you're trying to raise blood sugar quickly, even though both are classified as sugars.
What About Your Favorite Candy?
Most people with diabetes have a favorite low snack, and it isn't always something sold in the diabetes aisle.
Maybe you reach for Skittles, gummy bears, jellybeans, or whatever Halloween candy is still sitting in the pantry. Many of these options can work for treating lows, but it's worth checking their ingredients and nutrition labels.
Candies made with dextrose or glucose syrup may provide glucose that can be absorbed quickly. Others rely more heavily on sucrose or different combinations of sugars. And some popular treats have ingredients that can slow things down.
Chocolate, for example, contains fat, which can delay digestion and carbohydrate absorption. A chocolate bar might contain plenty of sugar, but it generally isn't the most efficient first choice when your glucose is dropping.
The same goes for cookies, pastries, and other desserts that combine carbohydrates with significant amounts of fat.
That doesn't make these foods off-limits. It simply means they serve a different purpose than a dedicated fast-acting low treatment.
Why Dextrose-Based Products Are Worth Keeping Around
There's a reason glucose tablets have been a diabetes staple for decades.
When you're low, having a product made with dextrose removes some of the guesswork around which type of sugar you're consuming. Glucose tablets and gels are straightforward options, but they're no longer the only choices.
Products like Glow Gummies and Transcend gels use dextrose as their carbohydrate source, offering a gummy or gel formats for people who prefer something different from traditional glucose tablets.
The practical advantage is knowing what you're reaching for and how much carbohydrate you're getting.
And when you're shaky, distracted, or trying to get back to what you were doing, simplicity matters.
Does the Amount of Sugar Matter, Too?
Absolutely. Choosing a fast-acting carbohydrate is important, but so is knowing how much you're consuming.
For many adults, the standard recommendation for treating blood glucose below 70 mg/dL is the 15-15 rule:
- Consume 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates.
- Wait 15 minutes and recheck your glucose.
- If you're still below 70 mg/dL, repeat the process.
Common examples include glucose tablets or gel providing 15 grams of carbohydrate, approximately 4 ounces of regular juice or soda, or an appropriate portion of fast-acting candy.
However, individual treatment plans can vary.
For example, people using automated insulin delivery systems may sometimes need only 5–10 grams of carbohydrate for a low because their systems have already reduced or suspended insulin delivery. Exercise-related lows or significant excess insulin on board may require a different approach.
Your diabetes care team can help you determine what amount makes sense for your treatment routine.
And while it's tempting to keep eating until your CGM shows a reassuring upward arrow, remember that CGMs measure glucose in interstitial fluid, which can lag behind blood glucose during rapid changes. Following your treatment plan and using a fingerstick when appropriate can help prevent unnecessary repeat treatments.
What If You Don't Have Glucose Available?
Maybe you're at a holiday party, out to dinner, or somewhere you weren't expecting to go low.
Your glucose tablets are in another bag, and the only thing available is a bowl of candy or a glass of regular soda.
Use the fast-acting carbohydrate you have available.
Although pure glucose is preferred, the American Diabetes Association recognizes that other carbohydrates containing glucose can also raise blood sugar.
Regular soda, juice, table sugar, and many candies are all commonly used options.
The important thing is to treat the low promptly rather than wait for an ideal product.
If you're experiencing severe hypoglycemia and cannot safely swallow, oral food or drinks should not be given. That's when emergency glucagon and immediate assistance are needed.
Find a Low Treatment That Works for You
The science of sugar is useful, but so is having a treatment you'll actually keep stocked.
Some people prefer glucose tablets because they're easy to measure. Others like juice boxes, gels, or dextrose gummies that can be tossed into a bag.
Whatever you choose, look for something that's easy to carry, has a clearly labeled carbohydrate amount, and works with your individualized treatment plan.
It's also worth keeping fast-acting glucose in more than one place, especially during the busy holiday season when routines and plans tend to change.
Final Thoughts
Glucose, sucrose, and fructose might all taste sweet, but your body doesn't process them in exactly the same way.
For treating low blood sugar, glucose has a clear advantage because it can enter the bloodstream directly, which is why it's the preferred initial treatment.
But plenty of other carbohydrate sources can still be effective, and having something available when you need it matters most.
So enjoy the holiday candy for what it is. And consider keeping a dedicated fast-acting glucose option nearby for the moments when your blood sugar needs a little more immediate attention.
