Every minute round the clock, the human body is burning up energy. Everything we do involves the expenditure of energy - walking, running, standing, sitting. Even reading takes its toll; the brain is a large consumer of energy.
What is energy? It is 'heat' created in the body which charges the muscles, tissues and organs to perform their functions. That is why energy is measured by a heat unit know as the 'calorie'.
Calories of body energy are created by nature's wonderful compound 'glucose'. The carbohydrates in our food are broken down by our digestive system into glucose, carried by the blood stream to various parts of the body and converted into energy.
Energy needs Energy and glucose used to be associated with manual workers and sportsmen. It is now generally recognized that sedentary workers need almost as much energy as a factory operator. For instance a white-collar worker spends about 2800 calories of energy compared to his blue-collar counterpart who uses around 3,000. And housewives who wash, sweep, iron and make beds often expend as much if not more. Children need twice the amount of calories as adults, in proportion to their body weight.
What can a person do when he feels tired?
If his state of tiredness is chronic and is experienced even after a good night's rest, it is likely that he is suffering from a deficiency. It merits a doctor's advice. 'Healthy' tiredness following hard work for instance needs simpler action. Many people attempt to 'cheat' fatigue by drinking stimulants which create a false impression of freshness.
Glucose energy The only way to dispel tiredness is to feed the body with more energy fuel. Eating a meal is one sensible way to recharge the batteries. But often an energy boost is needed between meal times. In such cases purified glucose powder in water, a drink or by itself produces quick energy. Glucose, because it is a predigested food, so to speak, does not have to go through a slow digestive break-up. It is immediately assimilated by the body. That is why glucose is know as 'instant energy'. Diabetics however should only consume glucose under doctor's advice.
The fact that glucose is instantly utilised is added advantageous for people who have problem tummies. Light on the digestion, glucose does not create acidity or a feeling of fullness. Still another virtue of glucose is that, unlike fats, it does not contain cholesterol the fatty residue which is believed to lead to a narrowing of the arteries and coronary aliments. Today doctors are advising a decrease in consumption of animal fats. With a reduction in this energy source, the need is often felt for added energy. Glucose is an increasingly popular answer.
Home economists base their approval of glucose on its low cost. In these days of soaring prices, glucose is being increasingly appreciated for being within easy reach of everyone's pocket. Perhaps that is the reason why glucose is labeled 'the energy food of the masses'.
