As a public health expert with a focus on nutrition and hydration, I can explain the importance of glucose in Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS).

Glucose is included in ORS because it serves a critical function in the rehydration process. When the body loses fluids due to diarrhea or other causes, it not only loses water but also essential salts and sugars. Glucose is a simple sugar that is easily and quickly absorbed by the body, which makes it an ideal component for ORS.

The red blood cells and intestinal lining utilize glucose to absorb sodium and water more effectively. This is crucial because the ability of the intestines to absorb these substances can be impaired during diarrhea. By including glucose in the ORS, we enhance the sodium-glucose co-transport mechanism, which helps to pull more water into the body and replace lost fluids more efficiently.

Moreover, glucose provides a quick source of energy for the body, which is particularly important when someone is dealing with the stress of an illness that causes dehydration.

In summary, glucose in ORS is vital for aiding the body's natural absorption of water and electrolytes, thus facilitating rapid rehydration and recovery.

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Starch is metabolized in the intestine to glucose and therefore it has the same properties of enhancing sodium absorption, however it has an added advantage that it has less osmotic effect, which would act to pull water back into the lumen of the intestine. THE COMPOSITION OF ORS.read more >>