compound
Glucose
Glucose is a simple sugar used by cells and carried through the blood.
It comes from digested carbohydrate and can also be made by the liver; insulin and other hormones help regulate its concentration in blood.
A circulating fuel molecule
Glucose is a simple sugar that can be absorbed directly from the small intestine and then used in metabolism. Cells handle it through tissue-specific transporters and pathways, while the liver can store or produce glucose under hormonal control.
Food sources
Per 100 g| Food | Per 100 g |
|---|---|
| Banana, ripe, raw | 5.55 g |
| Blueberries, raw | 4.42 g |
| Red Delicious apple, raw | 3.09 g |
| Strawberries, raw | 2.24 g |
| Navel orange, raw | 2.02 g |
Show 7 more foods
| Food | Per 100 g |
|---|---|
| Canned diced tomatoes | 1.5 g |
| Pie pumpkin, raw | 1.08 g |
| Orange sweet potato, peeled and raw | 0.98 g |
| Carrots, frozen and unprepared | 0.84 g |
| Oat milk, unsweetened and refrigerated | 0.77 g |
| Russet potato, raw | 0.16 g |
| Spinach, raw (SR Legacy 2018) | 0.11 g |
About these amounts
These values describe the named food and preparation. A 100 g comparison is not a suggested serving. Small amounts are rounded for display; an unreported amount is not zero.
Portions recorded by the source
- Canned diced tomatoes: 1 cup (245 g) — 3.68 g.
The source records and EFSA guidance are linked in References below.
Related topics
Insulin helps regulate Glucose
Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood glucose. It is one part of a wider control system.
Vitamin B1 (thiamin) supports metabolism of Glucose
Thiamin-dependent enzymes help process carbohydrate-derived fuel, including glucose.
Vitamin B7 (biotin) supports metabolism of Glucose
Biotin-dependent enzymes participate in gluconeogenesis and other glucose pathways.
Chromium has uncertain supplemental effects on Glucose
EFSA found the basis for chromium essentiality uncertain, and NIH ODS describes chromium supplementation effects on glucose as uncertain or mixed.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) supports energy metabolism involving Glucose
Niacin is used to make NAD, a helper molecule for reactions that release energy from carbohydrate and other fuels.
Show 4 more
Glucose is present in Sucrose.
Sucrose digestion releases glucose as one of its two component sugars.
Lactose is digested to release Glucose
Lactose digestion releases glucose and galactose as separate monosaccharides.
Starch can be digested to Glucose
Digestible starch is broken down into glucose units that can be absorbed and used in metabolism.
Glucagon helps maintain availability of Glucose
Glucagon acts mainly on the liver to support glucose production and release between meals.
Worth knowing
Insulin is one regulator. NIDDK describes insulin as a hormone that helps cells use blood glucose and helps regulate blood glucose levels; it is part of a wider system.
The liver has a central role. The liver stores glucose after meals and can produce or release it when circulating availability falls.
A closer look
Tissue transport is specific
In muscle and fat, insulin signalling changes GLUT4 availability at the cell surface; hepatic glucose handling uses distinct transporters and pathways. Blood glucose and tissue uptake are related but not identical measurements.
References
Source-checked local draft.
Human editorial review pending.
- NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesInsulin Resistance & PrediabetesChecked 2026-09-05
- European Food Safety AuthorityScientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for carbohydrates and dietary fibreChecked 2026-09-05
- World Health OrganizationDiabetes fact sheetChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH National Library of MedicinePhysiology, Glucose Transporter Type 4Checked 2026-09-05
- NIH Office of Dietary SupplementsThiamin: Fact Sheet for Health ProfessionalsChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH Office of Dietary SupplementsBiotin: Fact Sheet for Health ProfessionalsChecked 2026-09-05
- European Food Safety AuthorityScientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for chromiumChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH Office of Dietary SupplementsChromium: Fact Sheet for Health ProfessionalsChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH Office of Dietary SupplementsNiacin: Fact Sheet for Health ProfessionalsChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH National Library of MedicinePhysiology, Endocrine HormonesChecked 2026-09-05
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceFoodData Central Foundation Foods, April 2026 JSON releaseChecked 2026-09-05
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceFoodData Central SR Legacy, April 2018 JSON releaseChecked 2026-09-05