Widely used in the food and beverage industry as a sweetener and energy source, especially in sports drinks and energy bars. Serves as a key ingredient in pharmaceutical formulations for intravenous solutions to treat dehydration and low blood sugar. Employed in fermentation processes to produce ethanol, organic acids, and other biochemicals in industrial biotechnology. Used in the baking industry to promote browning and yeast fermentation. Also utilized in the production of sorbitol and other sugar alcohols through catalytic hydrogenation.