A set of molecules in which a glucose moiety is bound to a hydrogenable synthon has been synthesized and evaluated for hydrogenation reactions and for the corresponding para-hydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) effects, in order to select suitable candidates for an in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method for the assessment of glucose cellular uptake. It has been found that amidic derivatives do not yield any polarization enhancement, probably due to singlet-triplet state mixing along the reaction pathway. In contrast, ester derivatives are hydrogenated in high yield and afford enhanced H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra after para-hydrogenation. The obtained PHIP patterns are discussed and explained on the basis of the calculated spin level populations in the para-hydrogenated products. These molecules may find interesting applications in C-13 MRI as hyperpolarized probes for assessing the activity of glucose transporters in cells.