Dextrose = Glucose. Dextrose is the name that is used when it is commercially sold in products.
Maltose = 2 molecules of glucose (glucose + glucose).
Maltodextrins can be either low or high GI depending on their branching. Typically, a straight chain maltodextrin will have a higher/high GI, while a branched chain maltodextrin will have a lower/low GI rating. Of course, there are probably some exceptions. Most companies do not label which type of maltodextrins they are using in their products, therefore it is hard to determine which you are receiving. Some of the branched chain maltodextrins are often used in "diet" meal replacement because of their low GI characteristics. Dan Duchaine mentioned that he used these maltodextrins in his "diet" meal replacements specifically for this reason. Of course, the high GI maltodextrins can be used to take advantage of their quick digesting characteristics as well.
Fructose is not recommended because only so much of it can be digested in a given amount of time without the excess being turned into fat. I have read that the average amount that most people can digest is somewhere around 50 grams (200 calories) per day. Of course, this will vary somewhat on each individual. Personally, I would stay away from fructose after a workout because of its low GI ratings. Dextrose and sucrose are superior in this regard. Fructose is fine as long as you are not eating over your limit. In fact, its slow digestion is usually of benefit with your last meal of the night with other slow digesting proteins and fats. It will help keep insulin manageable while keeping blood glucose present so that protein synthesis is continued. I like to eat apples because they have a manageable amount of fiber which also aids in lowering the GI of fructose. Also, I must add that not all fruits have high amounts of fructose within them. Generally, the fruits with the lower GI's will have the highest amount of fructose, but even this is not set in stone because of fiber, acid content, and anti-nutrients which also lower GI's.
MR. BMJ
Maltose = 2 molecules of glucose (glucose + glucose).
Maltodextrins can be either low or high GI depending on their branching. Typically, a straight chain maltodextrin will have a higher/high GI, while a branched chain maltodextrin will have a lower/low GI rating. Of course, there are probably some exceptions. Most companies do not label which type of maltodextrins they are using in their products, therefore it is hard to determine which you are receiving. Some of the branched chain maltodextrins are often used in "diet" meal replacement because of their low GI characteristics. Dan Duchaine mentioned that he used these maltodextrins in his "diet" meal replacements specifically for this reason. Of course, the high GI maltodextrins can be used to take advantage of their quick digesting characteristics as well.
Fructose is not recommended because only so much of it can be digested in a given amount of time without the excess being turned into fat. I have read that the average amount that most people can digest is somewhere around 50 grams (200 calories) per day. Of course, this will vary somewhat on each individual. Personally, I would stay away from fructose after a workout because of its low GI ratings. Dextrose and sucrose are superior in this regard. Fructose is fine as long as you are not eating over your limit. In fact, its slow digestion is usually of benefit with your last meal of the night with other slow digesting proteins and fats. It will help keep insulin manageable while keeping blood glucose present so that protein synthesis is continued. I like to eat apples because they have a manageable amount of fiber which also aids in lowering the GI of fructose. Also, I must add that not all fruits have high amounts of fructose within them. Generally, the fruits with the lower GI's will have the highest amount of fructose, but even this is not set in stone because of fiber, acid content, and anti-nutrients which also lower GI's.
MR. BMJ