• Dextrose is a form of sugar included in a variety of foods, such as breads, cakes, cookies and crackers. Dextrose is comprised of glucose and water. Anhydrous dextrose is dextrose without water. Dextrose is a processed sugar often derived from starches like corn, wheat or rice. Like other sugars, dextrose provides four calories per gram. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Americans eat 25 pounds of dextrose per year and about 150 pounds each year of refined sugar.
  
  

High Caloric Intake

• Foods that include dextrose tend to be refined, processed foods that offer little nutrition but many calories. Because sugar (including dextrose) is high in calories without other nutrients, it should be consumed in moderation.
  
  

Tooth Decay

• Medline Plus states that consuming sugars like dextrose can lead to tooth decay. To prevent tooth decay, sugar should be consumed in moderation in conjunction with proper dental hygiene.
  
  

Diabetes

• While consuming sugar does not contribute to getting diabetes, patients with diabetes should limit sugar intake. Design a meal plan with your medical team to determine how much dextrose is appropriate for your body. Artificial sugars may be substituted for refined sugars to comply with diabetic diets.
  
  

Obesity

• Eating and drinking products that contain sugars like dextrose can cause weight gain and eventual obesity if these products are consumed in excess. Obesity increases the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Consume sugar in moderation and as part of a healthy diet to combat weight gain and obesity. Artificial sweeteners may be substituted for dextrose as they sweeten foods without adding calories.
  
  

Hyperactivity

• Medline Plus suggests that sugar may result in hyperactivity in some children since sugar is quickly metabolized and provides a quick, short energy burst. Limiting sugar in a child's diet may alleviate quick changes in blood sugar and the resulting activity. Children should limit sugar for other reasons as well, like preventing tooth decay and obesity.