Glucose C 6 H 12 O 6- a monosaccharide that does not hydrolyze to form simpler carbohydrates.
As can be seen from structural formula, glucose is both a polyhydric alcohol and an aldehyde, that is, aldehyde alcohol. IN aqueous solutions glucose can take a cyclic form.
Physical properties
Glucose – colorless crystalline substance with a sweet taste, highly soluble in water. Less sweet compared to beet sugar.
1) it is found in almost all plant organs: fruits, roots, leaves, flowers;
2) there is especially a lot of glucose in grape juice and ripe fruits and berries;
3) glucose is found in animal organisms;
4) human blood contains approximately 0.1%.
Features of the structure of glucose:
1. The composition of glucose is expressed by the formula: C6H12O6, it belongs to polyhydric alcohols.
2. If a solution of this substance is added to freshly precipitated copper (II) hydroxide, a bright blue solution is formed, as in the case of glycerol.
Experience confirms that glucose belongs to polyhydric alcohols.
3. There is a glucose ester, the molecule of which has five acetic acid residues. It follows from this that there are five hydroxyl groups in a carbohydrate molecule. This fact explains why glucose is highly soluble in water and has a sweet taste.
If a glucose solution is heated with an ammonia solution of silver (I) oxide, a characteristic “silver mirror” is obtained.
The sixth oxygen atom in the substance molecule is part of the aldehyde group.
4. To get a complete picture of the structure of glucose, you need to know how the skeleton of the molecule is built. Since all six oxygen atoms are part of the functional groups, therefore, the carbon atoms forming the skeleton are connected to each other directly.
5. The chain of carbon atoms is straight, not branched.
6. The aldehyde group can only be at the end of an unbranched carbon chain, and hydroxyl groups can be stable only at different carbon atoms.
Chemical properties
Glucose has chemical properties, characteristic of alcohols and aldehydes. In addition, it also has some specific properties.
1. Glucose is a polyhydric alcohol.
Glucose with Cu(OH) 2 gives a solution of blue color(copper gluconate)
2. Glucose is an aldehyde.
a) Reacts with an ammonia solution of silver oxide to form a silver mirror:
CH 2 OH-(CHOH) 4 -CHO+Ag 2 O → CH 2 OH-(CHOH) 4 -COOH + 2Ag
gluconic acid
b) With copper hydroxide it gives a red precipitate Cu 2 O
CH 2 OH-(CHOH) 4 -CHO + 2Cu(OH) 2 → CH 2 OH-(CHOH) 4 -СОOH + Cu 2 O↓ + 2H 2 O
gluconic acid
c) Reduced with hydrogen to form hexahydric alcohol (sorbitol)
CH 2 OH-(CHOH) 4 -CHO + H 2 → CH 2 OH-(CHOH) 4 -CH 2 OH
3. Fermentation
a) Alcoholic fermentation (to produce alcoholic beverages)
C 6 H 12 O 6 → 2СH 3 –CH 2 OH + 2CO 2
ethanol
b) Lactic acid fermentation (sour milk, pickling vegetables)
C 6 H 12 O 6 → 2CH 3 –CHOH–COOH
lactic acid
Application, meaning
Glucose is formed in plants during photosynthesis. Animals get it from food. Glucose is the main source of energy in living organisms. Glucose is a valuable nutritional product. It is used in confectionery, in medicine as a strengthening agent, for the production of alcohol, vitamin C, etc.
Glucose acts as fuel in the body. It is the main source of energy for cells, and the cells' ability to function normally is largely determined by their ability to metabolize glucose. It enters the body with food. Food products are broken down into gastrointestinal tract to molecules, after which glucose and some other breakdown products are absorbed, and undigested residues (toxins) are eliminated using the excretory system.
In order for glucose to be absorbed in the body, some cells need a pancreatic hormone - insulin. Insulin is usually compared to the key that opens the door to the cell for glucose, and without which it will not be able to enter there. If there is no insulin, most of the glucose remains in the blood in an undigested form, and the cells starve and weaken, and then die from starvation. This condition is called diabetes mellitus.
Some body cells are insulin-independent. This means that they absorb glucose directly, without insulin. The tissues of the brain, red blood cells and muscles are made up of insulin-independent cells - which is why, if there is insufficient supply of glucose to the body (that is, during hunger), a person soon begins to experience difficulties with mental activity, becomes anemic and weak.
However, much more often modern people They are faced not with a deficiency, but with an excess supply of glucose into the body as a result of overeating. Excess glucose is converted into glycogen, a kind of “canned warehouse” of cellular nutrition. Most of glycogen is stored in the liver, a smaller part is stored in skeletal muscles. If a person does not eat for a long time, the process of breakdown of glycogen in the liver and muscles starts, and the tissues receive the necessary glucose.
If there is so much glucose in the body that it can no longer be used either for tissue needs or utilized in glycogen depots, fat is formed. Adipose tissue is also a “warehouse”, but it is much more difficult for the body to extract glucose from fat than from glycogen; this process itself requires energy, which is why losing weight is so difficult. If you need to break down fat, then the presence of... that's right, glucose is desirable to ensure energy consumption.
This explains the fact that diets for weight loss should include carbohydrates, but not just any carbohydrates, but difficult-to-digest ones. They break down slowly, and glucose enters the body in small quantities, which are immediately used to meet the needs of the cells. Easily digestible carbohydrates immediately release an excessive amount of glucose into the blood; there is so much of it that it is immediately disposed of in fat depots. Thus, glucose is essential in the body, but it is necessary to provide the body with glucose wisely.
Found an error in the text? Select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Do you know that:
People who eat breakfast regularly are much less likely to be obese.
An educated person is less susceptible to brain diseases. Intellectual activity promotes the formation of additional tissue that compensates for the disease.
You are more likely to break your neck if you fall off a donkey than if you fall off a horse. Just don't try to refute this statement.
When lovers kiss, each of them loses 6.4 calories per minute, but at the same time they exchange almost 300 types of different bacteria.
In order to say even the shortest and simple words, we use 72 muscles.
Weight human brain makes up about 2% of the total body weight, but it consumes about 20% of the oxygen entering the blood. This fact makes the human brain extremely susceptible to damage caused by a lack of oxygen.
Caries is the most common infection in a world that not even the flu can compete with.
Most women are able to derive more pleasure from contemplating their beautiful body in the mirror than from sex. So, women, strive to be slim.
Many drugs were initially marketed as medicines. Heroin, for example, was originally brought to market as a drug for children's cough. And cocaine was recommended by doctors as an anesthesia and as a means of increasing endurance.
There are very curious medical syndromes, for example, compulsive swallowing of objects. One patient suffering from this mania had 2,500 foreign objects in her stomach.
The human stomach copes well with foreign objects without medical intervention. It is known that gastric juice Can even dissolve coins.
American scientists conducted experiments on mice and came to the conclusion that watermelon juice prevents the development of vascular atherosclerosis. One group of mice drank plain water, and the second is watermelon juice. As a result, the vessels of the second group were free of cholesterol plaques.
Four pieces of dark chocolate contain about two hundred calories. So if you don’t want to gain weight, it’s better not to eat more than two slices a day.
Scientists from Oxford University conducted a series of studies in which they came to the conclusion that vegetarianism can be harmful to the human brain, as it leads to a decrease in its mass. Therefore, scientists recommend not completely excluding fish and meat from your diet.
Even if a person's heart does not beat, he can still live for a long period of time, as the Norwegian fisherman Jan Revsdal demonstrated to us. His “engine” stopped for 4 hours after a fisherman got lost and fell asleep in the snow.
Many people remember the phrase: “Crimea is an all-Union health resort.” In the vastness of the former Soviet Union, and now the CIS, from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, are unlikely to be found...
is a natural dextrose found in berries and fruits. The main content of this substance can be found in grape juice, which is why the substance received its second name - sweet grape sugar.
Glucose is found in large quantities in fruits and berries.
Glucose is a monosaccharide with a hexose. The composition includes starch, glycogen, cellulose, lactose, sucrose and maltose. Once in, grape sugar is broken down into fructose.
The crystallized substance is colorless, but with a pronounced sweet taste. Glucose can dissolve in water, especially in zinc chloride and sulfuric acid.
This allows you to create grape sugar based medical supplies to make up for its deficiency. Compared to fructose and sucrose, this monosaccharide is less sweet.
Significance in the life of animals and humans
Why is glucose so important in the body and why is it needed? In nature, this chemical is involved in the process of photosynthesis.
This is because glucose is able to bind and transport energy to cells. In the body of living beings, glucose, due to the energy produced, plays an important role in metabolic processes. Main benefits of glucose:
- Grape sugar is an energy fuel that allows cells to function smoothly.
- 70% of glucose enters the human body through complex carbohydrates, which, when they enter the body, are broken down into fructose, galactose and dextrose. Otherwise, the body produces this chemical, using its own stored reserves.
- Glucose penetrates into the cell, saturates it with energy, due to which intracellular reactions develop. Metabolic oxidation and biochemical reactions occur.
Many cells in the body are capable of producing grape sugar on their own, but not the brain. Important organ cannot synthesize glucose, so it receives nutrition directly through the blood.
Normal blood glucose level for normal functioning brain, should not be lower than 3.0 mmol/l.
Excess and Deficiency
Overeating can cause excess glucose.
Glucose is not absorbed without insulin, a hormone that is produced in.
If there is a deficiency of insulin in the body, then glucose is not able to penetrate the cells. It remains unprocessed in the human blood and is enclosed in an eternal cycle.
As a rule, with a lack of grape sugar, cells weaken, starve and die. This relationship is studied in detail in medicine. Nowadays this condition is referred to as serious illnesses and call him .
In the absence of insulin and glucose, not all cells die, but only those that are not able to independently absorb the monosaccharide. There are also insulin-independent cells. Glucose is absorbed in them without insulin.
These include brain tissue, muscles, and red blood cells. These cells are nourished by incoming carbohydrates. You may notice that during fasting or poor nutrition, a person’s mental abilities change significantly, weakness and anemia (anemia) appear.
According to statistics, glucose deficiency occurs in only 20%, the remaining percentage is due to excess hormone and monosaccharide. This phenomenon is directly related to overeating. The body is not able to break down carbohydrates that come in large quantities, which is why it simply begins to store glucose and other monosaccharides.
If glucose is stored in the body for a long time, it is converted into glycogen, which is stored in the muscles. In this situation, the body falls into a stressful state when there is too much glucose.
Since the body cannot eliminate on its own a large number of grape sugar, then he simply deposits it in adipose tissue, due to which a person rapidly gains excess weight. This whole process requires a large amount of energy (breakdown, transformation of glucose, deposition), so it occurs constant feeling hunger and a person consumes carbohydrates 3 times more.
For this reason, it is important to consume glucose correctly. Not only in diets, but also in proper nutrition It is recommended to include complex carbohydrates in the diet, which break down slowly and evenly saturate the cells. By using simple carbohydrates, grape sugar begins to be released in large quantities, which immediately fills the adipose tissue. Simple and complex carbohydrates:
- Simple: confectionery, honey, sugar, preserves and jams, carbonated drinks, White bread, sweet vegetables and fruits, syrups.
- Complex: found in beans (peas, beans, lentils), cereals, beets, potatoes, carrots, nuts, seeds, pasta, cereals and grains, in black and rye bread, pumpkin.
Use of glucose
For several decades now, humanity has learned to obtain glucose in large quantities. For this purpose, cellulose and starch hydrolysis are used. In medicine, glucose-based drugs are classified as metabolic and detoxifying.
They are able to restore and improve metabolism, and also have a beneficial effect on redox processes. The main form of release is a freeze-dried combination and a liquid solution.
Who benefits from glucose?
Regular use glucose affects the baby's weight in the womb.
The monosaccharide does not always enter the body with food, especially if the diet is poor and not combined. Indications for use of glucose:
- During pregnancy and suspected low fetal weight. Regular consumption of glucose affects the baby's weight in the womb.
- When the body is intoxicated. For example, chemicals such as arsenic, acids, phosgene, carbon monoxide. Glucose is also prescribed for drug overdose and poisoning.
- For collapse and hypertensive crisis.
- After poisoning as a restorative agent. Especially with dehydration due to vomiting or in the postoperative period.
- For hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Suitable for diabetes mellitus, check regularly using glucometers and analyzers.
- Liver diseases, intestinal pathologies due to infections, and hemorrhagic diathesis.
- Used as a restorative remedy after long-term infectious diseases.
Release form
There are three forms of glucose release:
- Intravenous solution. Prescribed to increase osmotic blood pressure, as a diuretic, to dilate blood vessels, to relieve tissue swelling and remove excess liquid, to restore the metabolic process in the liver, and also as nutrition for the myocardium and heart valves. It is produced in the form of dried grape sugar, which dissolves in concentrates with different percentages.
- . Prescribed for improvement general condition, physical and intellectual activity. Acts like sedative and vasodilator. One tablet contains at least 0.5 grams of dry glucose.
- Solutions for infusions (droppers, systems). Prescribed to restore water-electrolyte and acid-base balance. Also used in dry form with a concentrated solution.
How to check your blood sugar levels, watch the video:
Contraindications and side effects
Glucose is not prescribed to persons suffering from diabetes mellitus and pathologies that increase blood sugar levels. If prescribed incorrectly or self-medicated, acute heart failure, loss of appetite and disruption of the insular apparatus may occur.
Also, glucose should not be administered intramuscularly, as this can cause necrosis of subcutaneous fat. With rapid administration of a liquid solution, hyperglucosuria, hypervolemia, osmotic diuresis and hyperglycemia may occur.
Unusual uses of glucose
Glucose is used in baked goods to make the product soft and fresh.
In the form of syrup, grape sugar is added to the dough when baking bread. Because of this, bread can be stored for a long time at home without becoming stale or drying out.
You can also make this kind of bread, but using glucose in ampoules. Liquid candied grape sugar is added to baked goods, such as muffins or cakes.
Glucose provides confectionery products with softness and long-lasting freshness. Dextrose is also an excellent preservative.
Eye baths, or rinses, with a dextrose-based solution. This method helps get rid of vascularized corneal opacification, especially after keratitis. The baths are used according to strict instructions to prevent delamination of the corneal layer. Glucose is also dropped into the eye, used as homemade drops or in diluted form.
Used for finishing textiles. A weak glucose solution is used as a fertilizer for wilting plants. To do this, purchase grape sugar in an ampoule or dry form and add it to water (1 ampoule: 1 liter). Flowers are regularly watered with this water as they dry. Thanks to this, the plants will become green, strong and healthy again.
Dry glucose syrup is added to baby food. Also used during diets. It is important to monitor your health at any age, so it is recommended to pay attention to the amount of monosaccharides that come into food along with easily digestible carbohydrates.
With a deficiency or excess of glucose, disruptions occur in the cardiovascular, endocrine, and nervous systems, and brain activity is significantly reduced and the metabolic processes, and immunity deteriorates. Help your body by using only healthy foods, such as fruits, honey, vegetables and cereals. Limit yourself from unnecessary calories that come into your body through waffles, cookies, pastries and cakes.
Tell your friends! Tell your friends about this article in your favorite social network using social buttons. Thank you!
Do you know what glucose is? Surely every reader has an idea about this. But can we say that we know all the properties and characteristics of glucose? The article will discuss this substance from a medical point of view.
Introduction
The second name for glucose is dextrose or grape sugar, as people say. This monosaccharide is one of the main sources of energy for humans. It was only scientifically discovered in 1802 by physician William Prout.
The main reason for the development of this disease lies in the disruption of the pancreas. In order to protect yourself from illness, you should eat foods that lower sugar levels: oatmeal, seafood, blueberry juice, black currants, tomatoes, soy cheese, green tea, meat, fish, lemons, grapefruits, almonds, peanuts, watermelons, garlic and onions.
Hypoglycemia
When there is little monosaccharide in the blood, the body also suffers. After all, what is glucose? This essential substance for the body as air is for the lungs. When there is not enough of it, the body weakens, brain nutrition deteriorates, and a person faints more and more often. Other symptoms also include fatigue, muscle weakness, and poor coordination. The cells of the body do not receive proper nutrition, their division slows down, as does the regeneration process, which can lead to their complete death.
There are several main causes of hypoglycemia. These include a lack of sweets in the diet, cancer, alcohol poisoning, and thyroid dysfunction.
In order to get rid of this disease or carry out prevention, you should review your diet. It is necessary to add products that contain glucose in their natural form.
Benefit
To have a complete understanding of what glucose is, it is necessary to consider its main functions - nutrition and energy saturation of the body. It is this monosaccharide that supports the functioning of the respiratory system, muscle contraction, heartbeat, functioning nervous system. What other role does glucose play?
- It helps activate metabolic processes and is itself easily digestible.
- Ensures performance.
- Improves memory, learning abilities, nourishes brain cells.
- Stimulates cardiac activity.
- Helps quickly saturate the body with food.
- Affects the normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Allows for faster recovery muscle tissue.
- Accelerates neutralization toxic substances in the liver.
In addition, glucose is used as component element in antishock drugs, blood substitutes.
Harm
However, for older people, glucose can be very harmful. This is especially true for people who have metabolic disorders. For example, the following complications may occur:
- sudden weight gain;
- thrombophlebitis;
- disruption of the pancreas;
- increased cholesterol levels;
- allergic reactions;
- inflammatory and heart diseases;
- arterial hypertension.
The production of energy from glucose must be fully compensated by the energy costs of processes in the body.
Sources
We have learned almost everything we can about glucose. The rate of its consumption for each is determined individually. Where can I find the required amount of natural monosaccharide? A lot of this substance is found in animal muscle tissue, berries, starch and fruits. The richest natural source of glucose is honey, which contains 80% of this monosaccharide. In addition, it contains fructose, which is no less beneficial for humans. Doctors and nutritionists agree that you should eat foods that will stimulate the body to produce natural sugars, and not revel in refined sugar and confectionery products. It is quite obvious which glucose will be more beneficial for the body. Below is a list of foods that are recommended for consumption:
- marmalade;
- gingerbread;
- dates;
- pearl barley porridge;
- dried apricots;
- raisin;
- apple jam;
- apricots.
Medical use
Glucose levels in the body can be changed not only by revising your diet. Sometimes they use medicines. At the same time, consuming glucose in the form of tablets during pregnancy is extremely undesirable. You should take medications only if your doctor has approved it. Self-medication can lead to negative consequences. However, pregnant women are often prescribed a monosaccharide if there is a suspicion of low fetal weight.
In medicine, the spectrum of action of this substance is wide. It improves metabolism and promotes redox processes. Active substance medicines - dextrose monohydrate, that is, the glucose we know with an admixture of other substances.
Just what the doctor ordered
Glucose reactions that healthy person occur automatically, sometimes it is necessary to induce artificially in sick people. Monosaccharide-based drugs are prescribed in the following cases:
- hypoglycemia;
- the need for carbohydrate nutrition;
- recovery period after severe and long-term illnesses;
- intestinal infections and liver diseases;
- a sharp drop in blood pressure;
- experienced shock;
- dehydration of the body;
- severe intoxication.
Doctors also use glucose in liquid form to administer it parenterally. This is done in several ways:
- subcutaneously;
- intravenously;
- an enema.
Now we know what glucose is, what importance it has for health, and what foods we need to add to our diet so that the body has enough useful substances. Remember that deviations from the norm are always bad. It is better to stick to the golden mean in consuming sweets of natural and artificial origin.
Glucose enters the body with food, then it is absorbed by the digestive system and enters the blood, which, in turn, carries it to all organs and tissues. This is the main source of energy for the human body, it can be obtained from gasoline, which runs most cars, or electricity, which is necessary for the functioning of equipment. In order to penetrate into cells, while in circulatory system, is placed in an insulin shell.
Insulin is a special hormone produced by the pancreas. Without it, glucose will not be able to get inside the cells, and will not be absorbed. If there is a problem with the production of insulin, the person develops diabetes mellitus. He needs constants. The blood of a diabetic patient will be oversaturated until the body receives the missing hormone from the outside. An insulin capsule is necessary for the absorption of glucose by muscle and fatty tissues and the liver, but some organs are able to receive glucose without it. These are the heart, kidneys, liver, lens, nervous system, including the brain.
IN digestive system glucose is absorbed very quickly. This substance is a monomer that makes up important polysaccharides such as glycogen, cellulose and starch. Glucose is oxidized, resulting in the release of energy, which is spent on all kinds of physiological processes.
If an excess amount of glucose enters the body, it is quickly utilized, turning into energy reserves. On its basis, glycogen is formed, which is then deposited in various places and body tissues as a reserve source of energy. If there is already enough glycogen in the cell depot, then glucose begins to turn into fat and be deposited in the body.
Glycogen is vital for muscles. It is this that, during decay, provides the energy needed for cell functioning and restoration. It is constantly consumed in the muscles, but the reserves do not decrease. This is due to the fact that new portions of glycogen are constantly supplied from the liver so that its level always remains constant.
The normal fasting blood glucose level is 3.5 to 6.1 mmol/liter. Increased content blood sugar is hyperglycemia. The reasons for this condition may be various diseases, including diabetes mellitus and metabolic disorders. This is usually diagnosed through a urine test, through which the body will eliminate sugar. Short-term hyperglycemia can be caused by various phenomena, such as overexertion, eating large amounts of sweets, and others.
Blood glucose concentration is too low - hypoglycemia. Short-term hypoglycemia occurs when a person eats a lot of quickly digestible carbohydrates, then the sugar level first jumps sharply and then drops sharply. Constant hypoglycemia occurs due to metabolic disorders, liver or kidney diseases, as well as a lack of carbohydrates in the diet. Symptoms - tremors in the limbs, dizziness, hunger, pallor, a feeling of fear.
The correct diagnosis can only be made by a qualified specialist based on the collected medical history and tests performed. To correctly interpret the result “sugar in urine”, it is necessary to know the processes during which certain changes occur in the body, leading to deviations in the determination of this indicator in biological material.
The concept of “sugar in urine”
In normal healthy body There is a renal threshold for glucose, that is, a certain amount of blood sugar is reabsorbed by the kidneys in full. Because of this, sugar is in the urine qualitative methods not detected. The established threshold decreases slightly with age. As the blood glucose level increases, the kidney tubules are unable to absorb as much sugar from the urine into the blood. The consequence of this process is the appearance of sugar in the urine - glucosuria. The presence of sugar in the urine is a dangerous indicator in which it is necessary to identify the cause of its appearance.Physiological glycosuria
Physiological glucosuria is observed with a single detection of sugar in the urine. Depending on the reasons that caused the change in this indicator, several forms of glucosuria are distinguished: nutritional, emotional, physical. A nutritional increase in sugar in the urine is associated with the consumption of foods rich in carbohydrates: chocolate, sweets, sweet fruits. Emotional glycosuria occurs due to stress and overexcitation. The appearance of glucose in the urine can be triggered by excessive physical activity on the eve of the test. It is acceptable to have a small amount of sugar in the urine.Pathological glycosuria
The development of pathological glycosuria is associated with the presence of changes in the body that affect the reabsorption function of the kidneys. Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common causes of this pathology. In this case, when the level of sugar in the blood is sufficiently low, it is determined in the urine in large quantities. This occurs more often in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Acute pancreatitis may cause sugar to be detected in the urine. Brain tumor, meningitis, traumatic brain injury, hemorrhagic stroke or encephalitis can lead to glycosuria.Diseases that are accompanied by fever may be accompanied by febrile glucosuria. An increase in the level of adrenaline, glucocorticoid hormones, thyroxine or somatotropin can lead to the development of endocrine glucosuria. In case of poisoning with morphine, strychnine, chloroform and phosphorus, toxic glucosuria can be determined. Due to a decrease in the kidney threshold, renal glycosuria develops.
Preparing for analysis
On the eve of submitting urine for testing for sugar, you should follow a diet that excludes the consumption of sweet foods and fruits, and drinks containing large amounts of carbohydrates. It is recommended to reduce the level physical activity. If you detect any amount of sugar in your urine, you should immediately consult a doctor.Video on the topic
Ascorbic acid is essential for the body normal operation all organs and systems. It improves immunity, lowers blood sugar levels, prevents the development of heart diseases, etc.
Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is not produced by the human body independently, unlike the animal body. That is why doctors in all countries recommend eating more fruits and vegetables - the main suppliers of this vitamin, or replenishing its deficiency with the help of medicinal complexes. A lack of vitamin C can lead to dire consequences, but why?
The role of vitamin C in the human body
Average, to the human body about 80 mg of ascorbic acid per day is required, while the daily requirement for other vitamins is significantly lower. Why? Yes, because vitamin C normalizes the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, increases immune defense, stimulates the formation of antibodies, red blood cells and, to a lesser extent, white ones. In addition, it reduces the concentration of glucose in the blood and increases glycogen reserves in the liver, normalizes the amount of cholesterol in the blood and serves as a cancer prevention.
Ascorbic acid takes part in more than 300 biological processes in the body. Of these, one can especially highlight the synthesis of collagen, a protein that forms connective tissue, which “cements” the intercellular space. Collagen is involved in the formation of tissues, bones, skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, teeth, etc. It protects the body from diseases and infections and accelerates wound healing.
Regarding immunity, vitamin C is responsible for the production of antibodies and the functioning of white blood cells. Without it, the formation of interferon, a substance that fights viruses and cancer, is impossible. Ascorbic acid is a powerful natural water-soluble antioxidant that protects against the destructive effects of oxidizing agents. It eliminates potentially harmful reactions in water-saturated parts of the body and protects “good” cholesterol from the effects of free radicals, preventing the development of heart and vascular diseases, early aging and the development of malignant tumors.
What else lies in the area of responsibility of vitamin C?
Ascorbic acid is an important component of hormone synthesis by the adrenal glands. Under stress, the adrenal glands begin to lack this vitamin. In addition, it takes part in the production of cholesterol and its conversion into bile. Ascorbic acid is necessary for the normal functioning of neurotransmitters in the brain. It converts tryptophan into serotonin, tyrosine into dopamine and adrenaline.
A lack of vitamin C can negatively affect the functioning of all organs and systems of the body, causing muscle pain, weakness, lethargy, apathy, hypotension, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, dry skin, heart pain, tooth loss, etc.
The main message of the majority strict diets- “stop passing and you will be happy”! Try to understand the mechanisms of your body and lose weight wisely!
Why are we getting fat?
The answer lies on the surface - day after day we create all the most the necessary conditions. What does our average working day look like? A cup of coffee with a couple of sandwiches, 1.5 hours in traffic jams to the office, 8 hours of sitting on the computer, then again 1.5 hours of traffic jams. Snack on anything during the day and a high-calorie dinner at night. On weekends - wallowing until noon and again a “celebration” of the belly. Rest after all... Okay, maybe not quite like that, and a couple of times a week we work diligently for an hour or two in the gym. But this is a drop in the bucket.
What types of fat are there?
1. Subcutaneous. This is superficial fat that lies under the skin tissue. This is exactly the type of fat that is visible visually and that can be touched and felt. First of all, the human body begins to accumulate fat in the most problematic areas. For men this is the abdominal region and chest, for women it is the thighs, buttocks and sides. As these zones fill, fat begins to occupy new territories.
2. Visceral. This is deep fat that is located around internal organs human (liver, lungs, heart). A certain amount of visceral fat is necessary, as it provides cushioning for internal organs. But when subcutaneous fat Having mastered all possible zones and the stages of obesity have arrived, he begins to replenish visceral fat reserves. Excess visceral fat is very dangerous as it can lead to serious problems with health (diseases of the digestive and cardiovascular systems).
Why can't you just stop eating?
The Internet is full of offers of various miracle diets that promise to get rid of extra pounds in a matter of months. Their principle is usually to sharply limit the number of calories consumed. But try to understand the body’s response mechanism - the kilograms really go away, but the fat will remain unharmed. All this is explained by the presence of such a hormone as stucco. The level of its content is correlated with the level of fat content - the more fat, the more stucco. So, the process goes like this:
- The number of calories consumed is sharply reduced, glucose levels and insulin production are reduced, and fat is mobilized. Fine!
- There is little glucose, which means the stucco level drops. The brain receives a hunger signal.
- In response to a hunger signal, the body turns on defense mechanism– stopping the synthesis of muscle tissue and slowing down fat burning.
- At the same time, the level of cortisol (stress hormone) increases, which further strengthens the protective mechanism.
As you can see, weight loss occurs, but not due to fat loss, but due to a decrease muscle mass. At the end of the diet, the body begins to intensively store calories, storing them in fat (in case the situation repeats). The difference between the light and dark stripes on the tail is clearly pronounced, and the “Volga” is considered ripe if its skin becomes light.
2. Be careful!
If you think that it is too early to buy Russian watermelons at the beginning of August, then you are right. Most varieties reach ripeness by the middle or even the end of August. Anything that is sold earlier most likely either did not have time to ripen, or was generously fertilized to accelerate growth.
The main signs of determining that a watermelon is “stuffed” with nitrates:
- This kind of watermelon cannot be stored for long. appear on the skin round spots darker shade.
- When you cut it, you will see bright red flesh and white seeds, and the fibers will be yellow.
- The pulp may contain compacted lumps up to 2 cm in size and yellowish in color - harmful substances are concentrated in them.
- The pulp of a healthy watermelon, if ground in a glass of water, will make the water only slightly cloudy, but if it is a watermelon, the water will turn pink or red.
3. How dangerous are nitrates?
According to doctors, no one has ever died from nitrate poisoning, but you can get into trouble. If you eat one or two slices nitrate watermelon, then nothing will happen to you. If you get carried away and eat the whole watermelon, you can get liver problems, intestinal or nervous system disorders. If after a nice meal you feel unwell, then immediately call an ambulance.
By the way, invisible nitrates are not as dangerous as bacteria that settle on the surface during transportation and storage. Therefore, before cutting, be sure to wash the fruit thoroughly; for greater effect, you can even scald it; this will not harm the watermelon.
The pulp of a ripened watermelon is dominated by easily digestible glucose and fructose; sucrose accumulates if the fruit is stored for a long time. Watermelons can be eaten if you have diabetes, since the fructose it contains does not cause insulin tension.
