The energy released by 1 gram of glucose is about 4 kcal. To put it simply, when our bodies break down glucose, a type of sugar that is a source of energy, it releases energy that we can use. This energy is measured in units of calories, and 1 kilocalorie (kcal) is equivalent to 1,000 calories. So, when 1 gram of glucose is broken down, it releases approximately 4 kcal of energy.